27.09.2025 19:10
A warning has been issued by Assoc. Prof. Ozan Hikmet Arıcan from Kocaeli University’s Maritime Faculty regarding the large bulk carrier flying the Tanzanian flag that ran aground in the Kandıra district of Kocaeli. Arıcan, who raised concerns about an environmental disaster, stated, "The transfer of fuel must be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise it poses a very significant risk."
Associate Professor Dr. Ozan Hikmet Arıcan from Kocaeli University Maritime Faculty, who warned about the 81-meter-long, 2,135-ton gypsum-loaded cargo ship flying the Tanzanian flag that ran aground off the coast of Kandıra district in Kocaeli, said, "The fuel transfer must be done as soon as possible, otherwise it poses a very significant risk."
The Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship named 'RAPID', which was carrying 2,135 tons of gypsum and heading to Ukraine from Bartın, ran aground on September 18 at the Kefken Pink Rocks area in Kandıra district. The crew, consisting of 6 Ukrainians and 1 Iranian, was stranded on the ship.
Following the notification, a helicopter, boat, search and rescue team, as well as fire and medical teams from the Coast Guard Command were dispatched to the area. Due to the strong winds and high waves in the region, intervention by boat was not possible, and 7 crew members were airlifted from the ship to the shore. The crew members, whose health conditions were determined to be good, provided statements at the Coast Guard Command.
THE SHIP'S SURROUNDINGS WERE ENCLOSED WITH FLOATING BARRIERS After the inspections by the Coast Guard Command and the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, efforts to salvage the ship have been ongoing for a week. To prevent the risk of fuel leaking into the sea, the area around the ship was enclosed with floating barriers. Associate Professor Dr. Ozan Hikmet Arıcan from Kocaeli University (KOÜ) Maritime Faculty made statements regarding the risk of environmental pollution.
"IT'S NOT AN EASY PROCESS, IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 2-3 MONTHS" Emphasizing that salvaging the ship requires long negotiations, high costs, and technical expertise, Associate Professor Dr. Ozan Hikmet Arıcan stated, "The shipowner and the classification organization need to have a classification. The company, the ship, and the cargo owner are very important here. There are insurance companies we call P&I (protection-indemnity clubs). Think of it like car insurance; just as we insure cars, ships are also insured by them. I am sure there will be serious negotiations among them. Ultimately, an agreement will be reached, and a salvage company will be contracted."
As a result of the agreement, a salvage operation will definitely begin, but this is not an easy process; it will take at least 2-3 months. The reason it is not easy is that it is very costly. The financial costs are very high. Especially the classification organization and insurance companies will send their specific, specialized experts here. They will monitor the situation themselves, and I believe divers have been looking at it. They must have been observing it until now. The way the ship is sitting, how it will be salvaged will be shown to the companies that will participate in the salvage operation. Costs will be determined in this way," he said.
"WATER INGRESS CAN BE A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY FOR A SHIP CARRYING GYPSUM" Stating that the operation needs to be carefully planned, Dr. Arıcan noted, "The salvage operation needs to be carried out with high-power tugboats and service vessels. Initially, the fuel tanks need to be emptied into small boats. If the fuel tanks are not emptied or if a close transfer does not occur, it will be a serious problem. Because as the ship remains there, some things will be damaged; the ship can be punctured, and it can be damaged."
These can cause significant environmental pollution. We actually believe that there should be some urgency in this regard. After an agreement is made with the salvage company, tugboats will be able to enter there. They will enter that shallow area, rocky area, and carefully tie and pull the ship. We definitely believe that the ship will be damaged more during the towing process. Because it has entered the rocks. What catches my attention is that the ship is not swaying in heavy weather. This is a big problem; the ship is grounded and stuck in the rocks. During the towing and salvage process, the ship will definitely be further damaged.
This is definitely an acceptable situation, but water ingress into the cargo holds can be a problem, especially for a ship carrying gypsum. More weight will be added, which is not good for the safety of the ship. After being brought to a certain depth, especially from shallow water to deeper areas, the cargo can be transferred to other ships. I think this is the most logical option. I know there is 2,200 tons of gypsum cargo. The gypsum can be transferred to another ship, and in this way, the ship can be taken to the shipyard or ship dismantling areas. The transfer will again be carried out with the assistance of tugboats. Because the ship has been damaged. Even if its engine works, that ship has lost its status as a ship," he concluded.