Dry bulk vessel Crimson Polaris, registered in flag state Panama, has run aground in a port in Northern Japan, writes Reuters.

The vessel, loaded with wood chips and arriving at its destination from Thailand, broke in two after the grounding. The dry bulk ship started to leak oil, but the leakage was managed before entering the coast, informs a Japanese coast guard to Reuters.

There are no injuries among the crew of 21 seafarers.

The dry bulk vessel, with a capacity of 39,910 dwt (deadweight tonnage), was loaded with wood chips when it ran aground in the Port of Hachinohe. The crew managed to refloat the vessel but due to poor weather was unable to move far and ended up anchoring around four kilometers off the port. Here, the vessel split in two early on Thursday local time.

The oil spill, approximately 5.1 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide, has been contained with the help of patrol boats.

The split wreckage has yet to be moved, but it is being closely monitored by patrol boats, writes Reuters.

English Edit: L. N. Barnes

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