Dutch shipping company Flinter has started talks with salvage and insurance companies to salvage the general cargo ship Flinterstar which sank Tuesday morning after colliding with the LNG tanker Al-Oraiq in the North Sea, some 6 miles off the Belgian port of Zeebrugge.
Image: REUTERS/Benny Proot
Flinter confirmed that all crew members who were aboard the 2002-built freighter at the time of the accident are safe and unharmed. The sunken ship’s position has stabilized, according to Flinter.
Dutch and Belgian authorities received a report about the collision between the two vessels in the morning hours of October 6.
Image: REUTERS/Benny Proot
The Flinterstar’s crew went overboard after the hit, and were rescued from the cold water by the local coast guard teams and the crew of the Al-Oraiq.
Image: REUTERS/Benny Proot
Belgian authorities have also been tackling the oil spill coming from the sunken freighter. The spill is reportedly moving towards the coastline.
The Marshall Islands-flagged Al Oraiq is in a stable condition and is currently discharging at Zeebrugge, the vessel’s manager, K Line LNG Shipping (UK) Limited, said.
Related news: Dutch freighter Flinterstar sinks after collision with VLGC Al Oraiq off Zeebrugge (VIDEO)
Source: turkishmaritime.com.tr