Norway’s Coastal Administration has announced that the bulk carrier LMZ Pluto, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, will undergo an emergency tow after losing power and beginning to drift in the Norwegian Sea.
The incident occurred on March 24, when the 190-meter vessel encountered severe weather west of the Halten Bank, near the 65th parallel. After suffering engine failure in storm conditions, the ship was left without propulsion and began drifting in open waters.
All 23 crew members, who are Filipino nationals, were evacuated the same day by two helicopters operated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway at the request of the captain. No injuries were reported.
Since the evacuation, the vessel has remained powerless and adrift in difficult conditions. Norway’s Vardø VTS center has been monitoring the situation since Tuesday, while authorities have also used surveillance aircraft and vessel-tracking systems to follow the ship’s movement.
During the night of March 26, the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV Jarl arrived on scene to assist and maintain oversight of the drifting bulk carrier.
According to Hans Petter Mortensholm, Director of Environmental Preparedness, there is concern that the vessel could drift northward toward offshore oil installations if not secured in time.
In response, the vessel’s owner, LMZ Shipping, has contracted T&T Salvage to support the emergency operation. The support vessel Sea1 Ruby is expected to arrive at the site on March 28 to begin salvage work.
At the same time, authorities are planning an emergency towing operation. Specialized RITS (Rescue Efforts at Sea) personnel from the Bergen fire service are set to be airlifted onto the vessel to establish towing connections. Once secured, KV Jarl will hold the ship in position until it can be handed over to the salvage teams.
Built in 2011, LMZ Pluto was carrying a cargo of fertilizer from Murmansk, Russia, to Santa Maria, Colombia, when the incident occurred. Authorities have confirmed that the cargo is not subject to sanctions and does not pose an environmental threat. They also stated that the vessel is not part of the so-called shadow fleet.
The case highlights the risks of operating in harsh northern waters and the importance of rapid response to prevent environmental damage and threats to critical offshore infrastructure.
