Capesize bulk carrier BENITAMOU and general cargo ship BC VANESSA collided in Marmara sea halfway between Sarkoy, Tekirdag, and Gelibolu, Canakkale, at 0310 UTC Oct 24.
Both ships proceeded to Dardanelles, in full load, in dense fog.
BC VANESSA struck BENITAMOU portside in midship-section area, inflicting heavy damages to both ships.
BENITAMOU hull suffered a huge breach, with ensuing water ingress. BC VANESSA bow and forecastle are heavily damaged.
Cargo ship BC VANESSA moved to Sevketiye anchorage and was anchored, understood she’s in no immediate danger.
The situation with BENITAMOU is probably much more serious – the ship is either dead in the water or anchored south of the collision site, with at least two tugs and salvage vessel around.
BENITAMOU with cargo of iron ore was en route from Yuzhny Ukraine to China, BC VANESSA was en route from Varna Bulgaria to Tunis, cargo unknown.
