A Panama-flagged bulk carrier has sunk off the coast of eastern India, leaving 22 crew members missing. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy are conducting a joint search operation.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The vessel, Ocean Winner, was carrying iron ore to Singapore when it sank around 240 nautical miles off Paradip on India's east coast. The ship had 24 crew on board, including 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals, and one Bangladeshi.
The Indian Coast Guard sent two vessels for the search-and-rescue mission, and an Indian Navy P-8I surveillance aircraft was redirected to the area. The aircraft located liferafts and coordinated with a nearby tanker, which recovered two survivors from separate liferafts.
Coast Guard vessels have been deployed for the surface search, while other ships in the area have also been asked to assist. The nationalities of the two rescued seafarers have not been disclosed, and they are receiving medical treatment while the search continues for the remaining 22 crew members.
The incident may lead to increased war-risk premiums or reroutings for ships in the area, as is typical in cases of maritime accidents or security threats.
Cover image: ImagePerson, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
