Video: Greek panamax suffers significant damage off Malaysia
Procopiou company denies steering failure after collision with huge Zodiac boxship.
The 76,000-dwt Greek bulker Galapagos has suffered major damage after being involved in a collision with Zodiac Maritime’s 14,952-teu boxship, Zephyr Lumos.
The accident happened on Sunday, 14 miles SW of the Sungai Muar estuary. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) photographs show the George Procopiou-owned, 2010-built Galapagos with a large dent in her starboard side and a damaged cargo hatch.
Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the Galapagos had reported steering failure, but the vessel’s manager, Sea Trader denied these claims.
The company told Trade Winds that the MMEA’s claims “are not correct. The steering gear and all related equipment was in good operating order”. The company has reported structural damage, but no injuries and no oil pollution.
“The company has activated its emergency response plan, mobilised equipment and personnel to assess and address the incident and has notified all appropriate state and federal agencies,” Sea Traders added.
“The company is working with authorities, federal/state agencies under an approved plan, to investigate the case.”
The Zephyr Lumos, which was en route to the Suez canal, suffered minimal damage.
“Early investigations by the Johor MMEA showed some damage to the Galapagos as well as some oil spillage,” Zakaria said.
