Chemical tanker aground

(Aug 14 2009) The German chemical tanker ‘W-O Budmo’ grounded off Kaohsiung, during last week’s typhoon ‘Morakot’.

Reports suggested that a Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF) salvage contract had been signed with US salvage experts Titan.

The Marshall Islands-flagged 2006-built 7,654 dwt ‘W-O Budmo’ is a double-hulled chemical/products tanker, owned by Germany's FAFA Capital and managed by OMCI, the shipmanagement arm of the W-O group.

A statement released on behalf of OMCI said the ship grounded off the Taiwanese southeastern coast early last Saturday morning.

The ship's master and chief officer were reported to be slightly injured, but were released from a local hospital. All 17 crew members were reported to have been safely evacuated.
The ‘W-O Budmo’, which is classed by Lloyd's Register and has P&I cover with the North of England, was reportedly en-route from Haikou in China to Taiwan on a ballast leg when she grounded.