Chinese Bulker Hua De 858 Breaks Apart After Grounding in Taiwan Strait

A Chinese coastal bulk carrier has broken apart after running aground while transiting the Taiwan Strait late Wednesday, according to local maritime authorities.

The 5,035-dwt Hua De 858 (built 2008) grounded in the waters north of Beiriyan, within Fujian’s Xinghua Bay, at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time (14:45 GMT). The vessel was sailing southbound on a voyage from Fuzhou to Haikou when the incident occurred.

Local reports state the bulker had departed Caofeidian port in Hebei Province on 28 November, fully loaded, before continuing along China’s southeastern coastline. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation.

All crew is rescued.