Cargo ship sinks off Phuket coast, 229 containers fall into sea！

Phuket, Thailand – February 7, 2026: A serious Phuket container ship sinking occurred when the Panama-flagged vessel MV Sealloyd Arc issued a distress signal on the afternoon of February 7, reporting severe hull flooding and listing. The ship sinks off Phuket coast at approximately 9:00 PM local time, about 3 nautical miles from shore, marking a major maritime disaster Thailand now faces in the Andaman Sea.

01 Incident Timeline

The Sealloyd Arc accident began at around 3:20 PM local time on February 7, when the Royal Thai Navy received a critical distress call from the vessel. The crew reported the ship was taking on water and had developed a severe list, forcing them to prepare for abandonment. The vessel was en route from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chittagong, Bangladesh, at the time of the cargo ship incident Thailand. This Phuket maritime disaster unfolded rapidly, with the vessel sinking just hours after the first alert.

02 Vessel Information: MV Sealloyd Arc

The Phuket shipwreck involves MV Sealloyd Arc (IMO: 8682036) , a 115-meter Panama-flagged container ship built in 2005 with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 6,500 tons. Operated by Singapore’s Sea Lloyd shipping company and technically managed by Bangladesh’s Naaf Marine Services, the vessel was carrying 229 containers when it sank. Among these, 14 were classified as dangerous goods containers, though specific hazardous material types were not disclosed. The container loss at sea includes these risk items, raising concerns over potential chemical release in the Andaman Sea shipping hazard zone.

03 Rescue Operation

Upon receiving the distress signal, the Third Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Navy immediately launched a Royal Thai Navy rescue operation. A nearby local fishing vessel was first to respond, successfully rescuing eight crew members. A Phuket Provincial Administration patrol boat then arrived and recovered the remaining eight crew, including the captain. The swift Thailand maritime emergency response ensured all 16 Bangladeshi nationals were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. This successful cargo ship rescue Thailand operation prevented loss of life amid the ship sinks off Phuket coast crisis.

04 Crew Status

All 16 crew members of the Sealloyd Arc accident are Bangladeshi nationals. They were transferred to government vessels and brought ashore safely. No casualties or injuries were reported. The crew’s rapid evacuation and the efficiency of the Thailand oil spill 2026 response teams highlight the importance of maritime safety Thailand protocols in Phuket container ship sinking incidents.

05 Environmental Impact

The Thailand oil spill 2026 has created a visible oil slick extending approximately 4.5 nautical miles westward and over 1 nautical mile wide. Fortunately, the slick has not yet reached the Phuket coastline. However, the maritime environmental damage is significant, with over 200 floating containers posing severe collision risk for ships navigating the Andaman Sea. The container loss at sea includes debris fields that threaten local marine ecosystems and commercial shipping lanes. This Andaman Sea shipping hazard is now a top priority for Thai authorities.

06 Response and Containment Measures

Following the cargo ship incident Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy activated emergency protocols. Authorities have deployed oil containment booms and are conducting aerial surveillance to monitor the Thailand oil spill 2026 drift. Floating containers are being located, marked, and mapped for future salvage operation planning. A crisis management center has been established to coordinate the Phuket shipwreck response, with plans to tow the wreck to Phuket deep-water port for damage assessment and debris removal. The Royal Thai Navy rescue operation has now shifted focus to maritime environmental damage control and container loss at sea recovery.

07 Investigation and Ongoing Monitoring

Navigation warnings have been issued across the Andaman Sea, advising vessels to avoid the Andaman Sea shipping hazard zone. An official investigation into the cause of ship sinking is underway, with Thai authorities collecting evidence to determine why hull flooding occurred. This Phuket maritime disaster underscores critical gaps in vessel safety management and Thailand maritime emergency response readiness. As of February 9, Royal Thai Navy vessels—including HTMS Panyee and HTMS Hua Hin—remain deployed alongside patrol aircraft for continuous monitoring. Cleanup of the Thailand oil spill 2026 and retrieval of floating containers are ongoing, with authorities preparing long-term pollution control and cargo ship salvage Thailand strategies.