The container ship MSC Hermes III, previously abandoned by its crew in the South China Sea, has reportedly been taken under tow and is heading towards the Vietnamese coast.
According to Automatic Identification System data, two tugboats — TC Mercury and Boka Guard — are operating alongside the stricken vessel. All three vessels are heading towards the Vietnamese port of Vung Tau. Official details of the salvage operation have not yet been released.
The incident occurred on 22 September, when MSC Hermes III issued a distress alert approximately 300 kilometres east of Vietnam. At the time, the container ship was sailing from Hong Kong to Jakarta.
All 25 crew members abandoned the vessel in a lifeboat and were subsequently rescued by another MSC container ship, MSC Ruby. No injuries were reported, and all crew members are safe.
MSC Florentina and MSC Turin III also diverted towards the incident area. Following the evacuation, MSC Hermes III remained unmanned and drifted in the South China Sea.
The cause of the emergency that forced the entire crew to abandon the vessel has not yet been officially confirmed. There is also no verified information about the condition of the ship’s hull, cargo or propulsion system.
Built in 2006, MSC Hermes III is approximately 212 metres long, sails under the Liberian flag and has a carrying capacity of around 2,490 TEU.
The vessel is expected to undergo a detailed inspection after arriving in Vietnam to determine the cause and full extent of the incident.
