Nearly three months after a major collision in the Singapore Strait, the 181,458-dwt Capesize bulker CAPE XL has safely arrived at Qingdao with more than 177,000 tonnes of bauxite — despite significant damage to her bow, anchoring and mooring systems.

New details released by Qingdao Pilot Station reveal the extent of damage sustained by the 292-metre bulker in the 20 May 2026 collision with the 208,800-dwt HUGE KUMANO.

According to Qingdao authorities, CAPE XL suffered:

• Structural damage between Frames 315 and 336 in the bow area
• Complete loss of the port anchor
• Restricted use of the starboard anchor
• Loss of the vessel’s forward emergency towing capability

The vessel was also arriving heavily laden and with a significant forward trim, creating additional challenges in manoeuvring, stopping distance and emergency response.

Given the vessel’s condition and a pilotage distance exceeding 50 nautical miles, Qingdao Pilot Station developed a special two-stage pilotage operation.

During the first stage, senior pilots assessed CAPE XL’s actual manoeuvring performance and finalized the berthing plan. The second stage involved the controlled inbound transit and berthing, supported by tugs, VTS, port dispatchers and terminal personnel.

CAPE XL eventually berthed safely at Qingdao Port’s Qianwan port area.

The operation closes an important chapter following one of the more striking Capesize collisions seen this year.

On 20 May, CAPE XL had completed bunkering at Singapore’s eastern anchorage and was heading south to join the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait when she collided with HUGE KUMANO, which was already proceeding eastbound through the Traffic Separation Scheme.

CAPE XL’s bow struck the port side of HUGE KUMANO and became embedded in the larger bulker’s hull. The two laden vessels remained locked together for a period before being separated.

No casualties or major pollution were reported.

What appeared in May as dramatic collision images has now turned into an equally notable marine operation: an 181,000-dwt damaged Capesize, carrying more than 177,000 tonnes of bauxite, brought safely into one of China’s major bulk ports despite losing much of its normal anchoring and emergency towing capability.