178,000-DWT Capesize Star Bueno Flooded After Grounding off Vietnam, Faces Threat from Approaching Typhoon Kalmaegi

Date: 4 November 2025

Source Adaptation: Maritime Cargo Chronicle | Industry Monitoring Desk

A serious maritime incident has unfolded off the coast of central Vietnam, where the Liberian-flagged Capesize bulk carrier Star Bueno (178,978 DWT) grounded during severe weather conditions, triggering flooding concerns and drawing urgent attention from Vietnamese maritime authorities as Typhoon Kalmaegi advances toward the same region.

Incident Overview

According to official confirmations from Vietnamese authorities and national broadcaster VOV, Star Bueno ran aground off Quang Ngai Province on 26 October while battling strong winds and high seas. The vessel, laden with approximately 174,790 metric tons of iron ore, was en route from Saldanha Bay, South Africa, to Dung Quat Port, Vietnam, when it reportedly broke anchor and drifted ashore under adverse weather conditions.

Emergency Response and Refloating

The Quang Ngai Maritime Authority responded swiftly by dispatching inspection teams and tug assistance to the site. The vessel’s owners were formally instructed to submit comprehensive pollution-control and navigational safety plans. By 29 October, coordinated salvage efforts successfully refloated Star Bueno and relocated her to a designated safe anchorage. However, subsequent inspections revealed seawater ingress in multiple cargo holds, prompting continuous pumping and stabilization operations that remain underway.

Government Coordination and Oversight

On 1 November, the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration (VMWA) convened an emergency coordination meeting involving the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (VMRCC), port authorities, shipowners, salvage contractors, and cargo interests. Senior officials later arrived on site to oversee technical hull assessments, cargo safety checks, and enhanced marine pollution-prevention measures, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Typhoon Kalmaegi Intensifies Risk

Compounding the incident, Typhoon Kalmaegi (Typhoon No. 25 of 2025) is forecast to track directly toward Vietnam’s central coastline — the same region where Star Bueno remains anchored. Forecasts from the China Meteorological Administration indicate that as of 3 November, the typhoon was located approximately 950 km southeast of Manila, packing sustained winds of 30 m/s (Force 11) and a central pressure of 980 hPa.

Expected Path and Impact

Meteorological models suggest Kalmaegi will make landfall over the central Philippines between late 3 November and early 4 November, intensifying to Force 13–14, before entering the South China Sea on 5 November. The storm is expected to strengthen further, potentially reaching Force 14–15, and could impact Quang Ngai and neighboring provinces between 6–7 November, posing significant challenges to ongoing recovery operations.

Heightened Environmental and Structural Concerns

With Star Bueno still undergoing structural evaluations at anchorage, authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance. Any escalation in sea state could increase hull stress, delay salvage stabilization, and elevate environmental risk, particularly in relation to cargo integrity and potential pollution exposure along the Vietnamese coastline.

Industry Perspective

This incident highlights the growing vulnerability of Capesize vessels operating or anchored in typhoon-prone regions during monsoon seasons. It reinforces the critical importance of real-time weather intelligence, robust anchorage risk assessments, and rapid inter-agency coordination among shipowners, port authorities, and maritime rescue organizations.

Maritime Cargo Chronicle notes that industry stakeholders — including maritime advisory and trade-facilitation firms such as MAKM INTERNATIONAL INC — continue to emphasize proactive voyage risk planning, emergency preparedness, and transparent reporting as essential pillars for safeguarding global bulk shipping operations amid increasingly volatile weather patterns.

📌 Maritime Cargo Chronicle remains committed to delivering verified, timely, and industry-focused maritime intelligence to shipowners, operators, charterers, and global trade stakeholders.