The M/V Ocean Winner had sailed from Paradip Port on August 20 bound for Singapore or China before communication was lost roughly 200 nautical miles offshore. Most of the crew are reportedly Chinese nationals
BY PC Bureau
August 22: A Panama-flagged bulk cargo vessel carrying iron ore sank in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, around 200–240 nautical miles (370–444 km) off the Paradip coast in Odisha, prompting the Indian Coast Guard to launch a search-and-rescue operation for the 24 crew members aboard, officials said.
The vessel, identified as M/V Ocean Winner, also referred to as Ocean-Winner, had arrived at Paradip Port on August 20 and departed later that night at around 10.30 pm, reportedly bound for Singapore or China with a cargo of iron ore.
The ship sailed roughly 200 nautical miles from Paradip before communication with it was lost. Preliminary information indicated that the vessel subsequently sank in the open sea, possibly after crossing Odisha’s maritime boundary while proceeding towards the Visakhapatnam sector.
The 24-member crew was reported to comprise predominantly Chinese nationals, with around 20 Chinese crew members, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh. Their whereabouts and condition remained unclear as the rescue operation continued.
The Coast Guard launched an immediate search-and-rescue mission after receiving information about the incident. A Coast Guard team, including a helicopter, was deployed from Bhubaneswar to assist in the operation. The Indian Navy was also reported to have extended support to the search effort.
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Authorities have not yet established what caused the vessel to sink. Investigators are expected to examine several possibilities, including the stability of the vessel while carrying its iron ore cargo, prevailing sea conditions, mechanical failure and other factors affecting the ship’s structural or operational stability.
The bulk carrier was built in 1998, making it about 28 years old. It was approximately 225 metres long and had a deadweight capacity of around 72,928 metric tonnes. The vessel was operating under the Panama flag.
Officials said the incident was not expected to immediately affect major shipping operations around Paradip because the vessel sank a considerable distance offshore. There were also no immediate reports of an oil spill or other environmental damage.
The focus remained on locating the crew as Coast Guard and other maritime agencies continued search operations in the area. Authorities were expected to release further details on the rescue effort, the vessel’s exact location and the condition of those aboard as more information became available.
A detailed investigation will also be conducted to determine the circumstances leading to the sinking of the bulk carrier.
