Case Study: Maritime Masie

Client

Maritime Maisie – Collision with a Car Carrier

Services

Crisis Management for Shipping

Maritime Maisie, a chemical tanker, collided with an empty car carrier, Gravity Highway, near the Port of Busan on December 29, 2013. It carried 30,000 tons of highly inflammable chemical acrylonitrile and the burning vessel drifted to the Sea of Japan.

After the fire was extinguished, no port wanted to take the vessel in. Singapore-based MSI Shipmanagement had to develop a crisis management plan to best ensure that the ship can be taken to a secured anchorage without the vessel splitting up and spilling the cargo into the sea, invoking the Port of Refuge principle.

Mileage was called to handle the crisis when the collision took place. After reviewing the situation, Mileage provided strategic advice – preparing a communications plan on the effect of the chemicals on sea life and for the management to persuade the Korean Government to take the vessel into the Port of Ulsan for the discharge of the remaining cargo on board Maritime Maisie.

Upon successful completion of the incident, Mileage received a commendation letter from Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Pte Ltd as follows:

“On behalf of MSI and IMC Industrial Group, I would like to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation for your contributions leading to the successful and safe salvage of the Maritime Maisie which began on 29 December 2013 and ended after more than three months on 18 April 2014.

While many played a part in the successful resolution of the Maritime Maisie incident, there are a few whom we would like to give special recognition for their outstanding contributions. You were on a speed dial and reacted quickly upon the eruption of the crisis. From providing effective pr counsel to the senior management on media management to engaging your network of media and trade bodies, you took control of the situation through preparedness and mitigated the probability and effects of the risk that could have occurred.

We did not envisage that this incident to stretch for such a long time. It tested your endurance and resolve to do everything right, ethically and responsibly with all parties concerned. During the past few months, you have been a principal team member and displayed dedication, commitment, and diligence in rendering unceasing assistance to this incident.

Once again, we appreciate and thank you for your contribution to the successful outcome of the Maisie incident”.

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