22 Crew Still Missing After Bulk Carrier Ocean Winner Sinks Off Odisha

Search operations continued on Monday for 22 crew members of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Winner after the vessel sank in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha.

The ship left Paradip Port carrying 72,100 metric tonnes of iron ore fines bound for Singapore. It lost contact on Friday afternoon roughly 240 to 310 nautical miles from the coast. Two Chinese seafarers were later recovered from liferafts by a diverted commercial tanker.

The two survivors told authorities that the vessel developed a heavy list and sank in less than ten minutes. Maritime analysts point to possible liquefaction of the iron ore cargo as the most likely cause. When certain bulk cargoes become fluid under motion, they can shift and destabilise a ship rapidly.

The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have deployed multiple ships and aircraft. A P-8I aircraft located liferafts and an oil slick near the last known position. Three Coast Guard vessels remain on scene.

The 24-member crew consisted of 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Vijaya Puram coordinated the initial response after receiving a report of lost communication.

Iron ore fines are known to pose liquefaction risks if moisture content is not carefully controlled. International maritime rules require strict testing and documentation for such cargoes. Investigators will examine whether those requirements were met.

The incident is the latest reminder of the hazards of bulk shipping in the Bay of Bengal, a busy corridor for mineral exports from eastern India. Families of the missing crew are waiting for further word as the search continues under difficult sea conditions.