MV Thermopylae Sierra
| History | |
|---|---|
 Cyprus | |
| Name | Thermopylae Sierra |
| Owner | Thesarco Shipping |
| Ordered | 1985 |
| Builder | Shin Nipponkai Heavy Industries |
| Out of service | 2009 |
| Renamed |
|
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sank on 23 August 2012 off Panadura, Sri Lanka |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Bulk carrier |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 155 m (508 ft 6 in) (overall) |
| Beam | 27 m (88 ft 7 in) |
MV Thermopylae Sierra was a Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier operated by Thesarco Shipping which sank off the coast of Panadura, Sri Lanka, in 2012.[1]
Description and construction
[edit]Thermopylae Sierra was a 155-meter (508 ft 6 in) long and 27 m (88 ft 7 in) wide bulk carrier that measured 15,612 gross tonnage (GT) and 24,779 tons deadweight (DWT). The ship was manufactured in 1985 by Shin Nipponkai Heavy Industries at their yard in Toyama, Japan.[2]
Sinking
[edit]The ship was detained in Sri Lanka since 2009 on a court order after a dispute involving the cargo and its crew, The ship's crew originally remained on board but later withdrew, claiming they were being denied food and other basic services. Left untended the vessel fell into disrepair and the subsequent environmental risks associated with its submersion increased. Prolonged exposure to marine conditions without requisite maintenance led to a progressive decline in the structural integrity of the ship, culminating in water ingress.[3] The ship sank on 23 August 2012 due to corrosion of the hull at anchorage near Panadura, south of Colombo.[4]
Prior to the vessel's sinking, onboard engineering personnel issued cautionary statements regarding the potential for specific cargo items remaining within the ship's hull to negatively impact local marine ecosystems. Of particular concern was the proximity of the sinking site to the shoreline, thereby increasing the probability of ecological contamination.[5]
Environment impact
[edit]The Sri Lankan Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has stated that a substantial portion of the oil onboard the subject vessel was extracted prior to its submersion. Based on this, MEPA anticipated a minimal major environmental impact resulting from potential residual oil leakage.
Further assessment of residual oil and contingency measures
[edit]Initial reports indicated an approximate volume of 350 tons of oil present on the vessel. Subsequent removal efforts have reduced this quantity to an estimated 75 tons remaining onboard. In anticipation of potential environmental consequences arising from even this reduced volume, a contingency plan has been activated to mitigate any surfacing oil and address associated impacts.[6]
Aftermath
[edit]Despite its derelict status, the submerged vessel has undergone ecological transformation, functioning as a habitat for various marine species. An ecological survey conducted off the western coast of Sri Lanka, encompassing assessments of coral reef ecosystems and shipwrecks such as Thermopylae Sierra, indicated a higher abundance of fish assemblages associated with shipwreck sites compared to natural coral reefs in the vicinity of Colombo.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "MV Thermopylae Sierra Sinks in Sri Lanka". Officer of the Watch. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Thermopylae Sierra, IMO 8313075". Baltic Shipping. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Abandoned foreign vessel sinks in Sri Lanka". Ada Derana. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Thermopylae Sierra". Ship Spotting. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "MV Thermopylae Sierra Sinks off Coast of Sri Lanka". Ship and Bunker.
- ^ "Thermopylae Sierra". Shipwreck Log. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Sunken ships in Sri Lanka's Colombo attract more fish than coral reefs". Mongabay. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 2012 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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