Grounding of chemical tanker Chem Alya
Location: On the Shingles Bank in the Needles Channel off the south coast of England.
Completed preliminary assessment[footnote 1] (PA) summary 2/22: Chem Alya
Synopsis
At 1618 on 25 October 2021, the Liberian registered 11,939gt chemical tanker Chem Alya departed from the buoyed channel and grounded on the Shingles Bank while transiting the Needles Channel on passage to Alexandria, Egypt. There were no injuries or pollution and the vessel, which was undamaged, was refloated later that evening.
The MAIB preliminary assessment, while recognising the Needles Channel was a challenging route, found that Chem Alya’s bridge team did not work effectively together or make full use of the ship’s ECDIS during the transit. Furthermore, Chem Alya’s passage plan did not consider IMO Resolution A.768(18) (PDF, 2,222KB), which recommended that laden tankers of over 10,000gt do not use the Needles Channel ‘due to tidal problems and apparent movement of the sand banks’. This warning information could also be found on the Admiralty Chart for the area.
Action taken
Based on the findings of its internal investigation, Chem Alya’s managers, ASM Maritime B.V, have taken measures to improve the future safe operation of their vessels by prohibiting them from using the Needles Channel. The company has also implemented procedures intended to improve navigational practices and has begun a programme of bridge team management refresher training for all deck officers. The Chief Inspector has written to ASM Maritime B.V, advising the managers of the MAIB’s findings and acknowledging the safety actions they are taking.
The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has also written to Associated British Ports Southampton. While acknowledging that the Needles Channel lies outside its pilotage area, the chief inspector has nonetheless advised the harbour authority to review the information provided by its pilots and VTS operators to vessels intending to use the Needles Channel and, specifically, to draw their attention to the guidance in IMO Resolution A.768(18).
| Ship particulars | |
|---|---|
| Vessel’s name | Chem Alya |
| Flag | Liberia |
| Classification society | Korean Register |
| IMO number | 9486166 |
| Type | Chemical tanker |
| Registered owner | CHEM ALYA S.A. |
| Manager(s) | ASM Maritime B.V. |
| Year of build | 2009 |
| Construction | Steel |
| Length overall | 144.80m |
| Registered length | 134.73m |
| Gross tonnage | 11,939 |
| Minimum safe manning | 14 |
| Authorised cargo | Tanker/chemicals |
| Voyage particulars | |
|---|---|
| Port of departure | Fawley, UK |
| Port of arrival | Alexandria, Egypt |
| Type of voyage | International |
| Cargo information | 13,213mt of carbon black feedstock |
| Manning | 22 crew |
| Marine casualty information | |
|---|---|
| Date and time | 25 October 2021 at 1618 |
| Type of marine casualty or incident | Marine incident |
| Location of incident | Needles Channel, UK |
| Place on board | Not applicable |
| Injuries/fatalities | None |
| Damage/environmental impact | None |
| Ship operation | On passage |
| Voyage segment | Coastal |
| External and internal environment | Clear, good visibility, north-westerly wind Beaufort force 4 with a 1m swell |
| Persons on board | 22 |
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Between 2002 and 2010, these reports were known as preliminary examinations. Reinstated in 2022, these are now referred to as preliminary assessments. The website filter “Completed preliminary examination” will be updated to “Completed preliminary assessment” in due course, to reflect the current terminology. ↩