Panama-Flagged Bulker Sinks in Bay of Bengal; 2 of 24 Crew Rescued, 20 Chinese Nationals Missing

Ni Zhongxiang（倪忠祥）

Published 2026-08-23 12:03

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530), sank in the Bay of Bengal approximately 240 nautical miles off Paradip, India, on August 22, 2026. Of the 24 crew members on board, only two have been rescued so far, while 22 remain missing — including 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.

The 72,928-DWT bulker, built in 1998 and operated by Victory Star Group Co Ltd, departed Paradip Port on August 20 carrying a cargo of iron ore bound for Singapore. Communication with the vessel was lost on the morning of August 22; it subsequently disappeared from maritime tracking systems without issuing a distress signal. According to weather data, the area experienced rough conditions at the time, with waves of 4–5 metres and winds of 10–12 m/s (Beaufort 5–6).

Following the alert, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) activated the International Safety Net and diverted nearby vessels to the scene. The Greek-flagged tanker MT AISOPOS rescued two survivors from separate liferafts at around 20:00 local time. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed ICGS Varad, ICGS Anmol and ICGS Vijit, with the Indian Navy also joining the search-and-rescue operation. As of press time, the remaining 22 crew members have yet to be located.

The cause of the sinking remains under investigation. Industry observers note that iron ore is classified as a Group A cargo prone to liquefaction, which — combined with the vessel's advanced age of 28 years and the prevailing rough sea conditions — may have contributed to the rapid foundering.

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