Belle Rose Hits Coral Reef off the Philippines

Shipspotting M/V Belle Rose, a Panama-registered bulk carrier, ran aground four nautical miles southeast off Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan, Cebu, the Philippines on June 13, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.  The 2010-built vessel was carrying 48,000 tons of cement powder. The coast guard said the ship destroyed an estimated 483 meters of coral reefs on Monad Shoal. Following the ships grounding, PCG conducted an underwater hull inspection and reported that M/V Belle Roses hull is completely resting on the seabed. However, there were no signs of an oil spill. The cargo from this 50,472 dwt bulker was transferred to M/V Belle Roses sister ship and subsequently unloaded at San Fernando, Naga, Cebu. Salvage operations will be carried out today, according to PCG.