MV Algoport

Lost, while under tow

Authored: Martin Leduc, Jan 2010
Pictures: Submitted

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On September 6, 2009, the MV Algoport broke in two and sank in the East China Sea, south of Japan, while being towed to a Chinese repair yard. Friend of the site, SR - (thank you), submitted the pictures below of the ship going down. The ship was being towed from Panama to China, by the tug Pacific Hickory operated by Vancouver based Island Tug & Barge. According to Boatnerd.com, the Algoport broke her back while encountering rough seas resulting from Tropical Storm Dujuan, one week away from her destination. The ship now rest under 16,404' (5,000 m) of water, at 30�0'0" N by 130�0'0" E.

The ship made her own way down to Balbao, on Panama's western shores, where the crew signed off, and she was mated to the tug Pacific Hickory, for the tow east, across the Pacific. She was to follow her fleetmate, MV Algobay, which received a new fore body at the Chengxi Shipyard Co. Ltd. in Jiangyin, China. The cost for the refits was to have cost Algoma $65 million, instead, the company recorded a net $2 million gain in the third quarter, due to insurance payout, which was bigger than the book value of the vessel. They will, however, look for another stern section to fit to the already built fore body now in China.

ALGOPORT

Owner - Algoma Central Corporation
Operator - Seaway Marine Transport
Gross tonnage - 20,222
DWT - 31,970
Type of ship - Great Lakes Self-Discharging Bulk Carrier
Length - 200 m
Breadth - 23 m
Draught: 14 m
Main Engines - 2x Crossley Pielstick 10PC 2V MK3, V-10 (7,980 kW total)
Built - Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, Ontario
Year of build - 1979
Cost - Approximately $25 million
Flag - Canada
Total loss - Sept 6, 2009, East China Sea while under tow (no loss of life, no reported pollution)

The ship even has its own book, authored by Andy & Chris Torrence.

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