We have learned of an incident involving a collision between the vessels SANCHI and CF CRYSTAL, while navigating the mouth of the Yangtze River.

SANCHI is a Panama flag, 2008 built, 85,462gt crude oil tanker, on a voyage from New Mangalore to Daesan, having also called at Asaluyeh. She was laden with 136,000 MT fuel oil. Following the collision, SANCHI caught fire and all 32 crew were reported missing. Several maritime police vessels, two rescue boats and three professional cleaning ships were dispatched to the area. The Shanghai Fire Department sent experts to help battle the flames, and the South Korean Marine Police Agency deployed a marine police ship and a fixed-wing aircraft to assist with the search and rescue effort.

CF CRYSTAL is Hong Kong flag, 2011built, 41,073gt bulk carrier, laden with 64,000MT grain, on a voyage from Astoria to Machong. The vessel was taken to Busan but is now underway to complete her voyage.

If W.E. Cox Claims Group can be of assistance in providing guarantees, arranging surveys, adjusting potential losses or undertaking recovery please do not hesitate to contact us. As appropriate, please contact:

United Kingdom – Paul Friett cargoclaims@w-e-cox.co.uk

Hong Kong – Wendy Lee wendy@ceemis.com.hk

Singapore – Paul Sansom psansom@w-e-cox.com.sg

USA – Charles Droll cdroll@w-e-cox.com

Australia – Robert Hammersley rhammersley@w-e-cox.com.au

If this or future casualty notices should be forwarded to any of your colleagues, we would be pleased to receive their contact details and we will add them to our Client List.