The bulk carrier ‘Ocean Winner’ (72,928 DWT), which had loaded iron ore fines at Paradip in India and departed that port on 21 August 2026 sank in the Bay of Bengal on 22 August 2026.

Whilst the cause of the accident is under investigation, our local correspondent, James Mackintosh & Co., has reported that the Merchant Marine Directorate (MMD) in Kolkata has introduced additional regulatory measures concerning the loading of Group A cargoes (liquefied cargoes such as iron ore fines and sand) from ports under its jurisdiction, including Kolkata, Haldia, Paradip and Damra. Please refer to the attached news report prepared by our correspondent for further details.

As a side note, several incidents of cargo liquefaction were reported in India around 2009; as a result, clearance and approval from the concerned MMD were made mandatory for all vessels carrying liquefiable cargo (please refer to the attached MS Shipping Notices 31 of 2009, 34 of 2009 and 9 of 2010). Whilst these regulations were partially relaxed in 2017 (please refer to the attached DG Shipping Circular 2 of 2017), new regulatory measures have now been introduced in the Kolkata region.

According to our correspondents, these regulatory measures are provisional, and detailed procedures are currently being drawn up by the MMD. We will inform you again should any further information become available.