Cargo ship carrying 81 tonnes of fuel runs aground off central Vietnam

The Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority reported on Wednesday that the Tong Cheng 301 remained stranded off Sa Huynh, with all 14 crew members safe and no signs of an oil leak detected.

The 124-meter-long vessel, owned by Hong Kong-based Ocean Faith Shipping Co., Limited, was carrying around 26 metric tons of diesel oil and 55 metric tons of fuel oil.

The cargo ship departed the Thi Vai-Phu My area in Ho Chi Minh City on November 6, bound for My Thuy International Port in Quang Tri Province, with no cargo or passengers on board.

While passing through waters off Sa Huynh on the evening of November 9, the vessel encountered strong winds and high waves, causing it to drift and run aground on a sandy seabed about 150 meters offshore.

The incident was discovered the following morning.

Le Van Luong, director of the Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper on Wednesday that the ship owner and captain had been instructed to stabilize the vessel, close its fuel tank valves, prepare an oil spill response plan, and develop a refloating plan.

Northeastern winds in the area were reaching force 6-7, with gusts of force 8-9 and waves of three to five meters, potentially exceeding five meters during thunderstorms.

The authority is coordinating with the Sa Huynh Border Guard Station and other agencies to monitor the vessel and ensure the crew's safety.

Luong said the ship had run aground on sand, with no underwater rocks reported. No hull breaches had been detected, and the vessel remained stationary.

"However, authorities and the captain remain in close contact to prepare for any worst-case scenario," he said.