New Casualty - MERCHANT MARINER - Grounding
Incident Date: 18th September 2026
Vessel: MERCHANT MARINER
Type: Bulk Carrier
Incident: Grounding
IMO No.: 9522647
W.E. Cox have learnt of an incident involving the MERCHANT MARINER, a Greece Flag, 94,250GT, 292m, 2010 built, bulk carrier, enroute from Teluk Rubiah, Malaysia to Dung Quat, Vietnam, which ran onto a reef/rock causing water ingress in 3 ballast tanks on her port side near Dung Quat on 18th September 2026.
We understand that the MERCHANT MARINER was carrying 174,000MT of BRBF iron ore at the time of the casualty.
Local authorities have provided assistance and the MERCHANT MARINER remains at anchorage. We understand that currently, both ship and cargo interests are working together to confirm plans for the unloading operations.
The MERCHANT MARINER is owned by World Mariner Shipping Company Limited and managed by Tsakos Conbulk Services (TBC) Limited. The MERCHANT MARINER has been trading at various ports in Asia and South America.
As a result of this recent casualty, cargo deliveries will likely be delayed, with significant cargo loss and damage. The situation may also give rise to Salvage and/or General Average that will require Cargo interests to provide Salvage and/or General Average Security prior to cargo being released at destination.
If you are aware of any involvement in this casualty and W E Cox Claims Group may be of assistance in any way, including provision of securities, arranging surveys, adjusting any potential losses &/or undertaking recovery action, please do not hesitate to contact us. As appropriate, please contact:
United Kingdom – Paul Friett cargoclaims@w-e-cox.co.uk
France – Marie-Laure Mirrione MarieLaureMirrione@w-e-cox.eu
Europe – Aneta Pillay apillay@w-e-cox.co.uk
Hong Kong – Twinnie Lai twinnie@ceemis.com.hk
Singapore – Paul Sansom psansom@w-e-cox.com.sg
USA – Joshua Gayer jgayer@w-e-cox.com
Australia – Niall Orr norr@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.