A major search was underway on Monday August 26th for cargo ship Nur Allya (IMO 9245237), which has not been heard from since August 20th. Her last known position was in Banda Arc, North of Ambon. The ship had been carrying nickel ore from Weda island, North Maluku, to Morosi in Southeast Sulawesi. There were 25 crew on board.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched on August 25th. The ship reportedly had sent a distress signal indicating that there was something endangering the ship.

The last known location of the vessel was reported to be some 44nm from Namlea, Indonesia, located off the north-east coast of the island of Buru.
Nickel ore is highly susceptible to liquefaction, particularly when exposed to damp. Cargo liquefaction can result in a vessel losing stability and capsizing very quickly.

Trade group Intercargo has said that liquefaction had been blamed for nine dry bulk vessel casualties between 2012 and 2018 resulting in the loss of 101 lives. Six of those nine involved bulk carriers carrying nickel ore from Indonesia.

2002-built, Indonesia-flagged, 30,089 gt Nur Allya is owned and managed by Gurita Lintas Samudera PT of Jakarta, Indonesia. It is entered with Standard Club (Standard Asia Division on behalf of PT Gurita Lintas Samudera.

 

This article is kindly supplied by Insurance Marine News. If you would like a complimentary trial to the daily Insurance Marine News e-bulletin please email grant.attwell@insurancemarinenews.com.