Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks Off Odisha Coast With 24 Crew Aboard

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner, sank in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday about 240 nautical miles off the Paradip coast in Odisha. The vessel carried 24 crew members and a cargo of iron ore bound for Singapore.

The Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received word of lost communication early Saturday. Commandant Amit Uniyal confirmed the crew consisted of 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one Bangladeshi. Two survivors were recovered from life rafts by evening.

The ship had left Paradip Port on the night of August 20. The cause of the sinking remains unknown. The Coast Guard diverted nearby vessels including MT Aisopos and deployed ICGS Varad and other units for the search. The Indian Navy joined the operation.

Authorities continue efforts to locate the remaining crew. The registered owner is Ocean Winner Shipping Co Ltd of Fuzhou, China.