The container ship MSC Hermes III was abandoned by its 25 crew members in the South China Sea on September 22, 2026, and is now under tow toward Vung Tau in Vietnam by two tugs, according to the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking data from Pole Star Global.
Vessel Abandonment and Crew Rescue Details
The 20-year-old, 2,490 TEU Liberia-registered vessel sent a distress call at approximately 08:45 hours Singapore time on September 22 while sailing from Hong Kong to Jakarta. Singapore MRCC rebroadcast the alert after the ship drifted about 300 kilometers east of Vietnam. All 25 crew members evacuated into a lifeboat and were rescued safely without injury by another MSC container ship, the MSC Ruby, which answered the distress call. Two additional MSC vessels, the MSC Florentina and the MSC Turin III, also diverted to assist in the vicinity.
Towage Operations and Current Status
AIS tracking data supplied by Pole Star Global indicates that the abandoned containership is currently under tow by the anchor handler tug TC Mercury and the tugboat Boka Guard. Both tugs sailed from Vietnam and list Vung Tau as their destination. Maritime briefs note that the vessel was temporarily classified as a derelict in a HYDROPAC navigational bulletin near coordinates 11°45’N 112°15’E before being secured for towage. MRCC Singapore is coordinating with the Vietnamese MRCC to arrange the safe return of the rescued crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the crew to abandon the MSC Hermes III?
The specific circumstances that prompted the 25 crew members to abandon the ship remain unclear, according to reports from the MPA and maritime sources.
Where are the rescued crew members currently headed?
MRCC Singapore is coordinating with the Vietnamese MRCC to arrange the safe return of the uninjured crew to shore.
Which vessels responded to the initial distress call?
The MSC Ruby rescued the crew from a lifeboat, while the MSC Florentina and MSC Turin III also diverted to the area to assist.
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