Bulk Carrier Collides With Bridge Pylon, Shutting Down Parana River Waterway

The bulk carrier “EN MAY” was involved in a major maritime accident when it struck a vital road bridge support pillar connecting the Entre Rios province in Argentina with Buenos Aires. The collision, which happened on Sunday, January 28, at approximately 9:00 PM, caused the Parana River Waterway to be shut down.

The AIS data shows that when the 85,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) bulker struck the southwest pylon on the Zarate side of the river, it moved at about 10 knots. Videos of bystanders going viral on social media show the ship’s port side severely damaged, with a sizable hole both above and below the waterline. The vessel, built in 2017 and run by a company in New York, is stable despite the significant damage, with flooding limited to a single hold forward. Early indications suggest that a potential rudder failure may have been the cause of the event; an investigation into it has been launched.

Video Credits: TradeWindsShipping/YouTube

All maritime traffic via the Parana River Waterway has been suspended for safety concerns. Trucks weighing more than 50 tons are subject to limitations, but vehicles are still allowed to pass the road bridge. The posted speed restriction on the bridge is now 40 miles per hour. The vessel was positioned next to the bridge pylons on Monday, January 29. Authorities are carefully monitoring the situation to identify the root cause and evaluate what should be done to restore the canal.

The Parana and Paraguay Rivers combine to form a 3,302-kilometer waterway system vital to the flow of goods between Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The transportation of goods via the Río de la Plata between the continent’s centre and the Atlantic Ocean depends on this vast network. Remarkably, it manages around eighty per cent of trade with Paraguay.

Various goods are moved over this waterway, such as steel, petroleum, ore, minerals, oils and by-products, grains, oilseeds, and manufactured goods. A significant effect on the shipping industry may occur due to the Parana River shutdown brought on by the recent incident with the collision of bulk carrier “EN MAY.” The shutdown affects import and export operations by obstructing the regular flow of commodities and commerce. Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay’s economy will likely be affected because of the waterway’s crucial role in promoting trade.

The susceptibility of the regional commerce infrastructure is highlighted by this development, which also highlights the urgency of finding a quick solution and stepping up recovery measures to reduce adverse economic effects. The shipping industry as a whole is still on the lookout for any delays or disturbances while authorities continue investigating the incident and prepare to reopen the Parana River.

Reference: Fleetmon

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