MV Sealloyd Arc sinks off Phuket as Thai navy rescues all 16 crew members

All 16 crew members of the small container ship Sealloyd Arc were safely rescued after the vessel sank off the coast of Phuket, Thailand. The Royal Thai Navy confirmed that none of the seafarers sustained injuries, despite the rapid deterioration of the ship’s condition, as reported by The Maritime Telegraph .

 

The 6,500-DWT containership sent a distress call at around 15:20 local time on February 7, reporting severe water ingress and an increasing list while sailing roughly three nautical miles offshore. As the situation worsened, the crew prepared to abandon the vessel.

 

Rescue efforts involved both civilian and local authorities. Eight crew members were picked up by a nearby fishing boat, while the remaining eight (including the master) were recovered by a patrol vessel operated by the Phuket Provincial Administration. All survivors were subsequently brought ashore.

 

According to the Royal Thai Navy, the 115-meter ship remained under observation for several hours before finally sinking at around 21:00 local time. By that point, authorities had already activated emergency response procedures.

 

Pollution and Salvage Operations Begin

 

At the time of the incident, Sealloyd Arc was sailing from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chattogram, Bangladesh, carrying 229 containers. Fourteen of them were classified as hazardous cargo. While part of the load went down with the vessel, several containers were reported drifting in the area, adding to navigational concerns.

 

Officials also detected an oil slick spreading westward from the sinking site, measuring approximately 4.5 miles in length and more than one mile in width. Authorities stressed that no oil has reached the shoreline so far. Containment measures, debris recovery, and salvage planning are now underway.

 

Industry observers note that incidents involving small regional boxships often escalate quickly due to limited stability margins once flooding begins, a point highlighted in recent coverage by MaritimeOptima , which has been tracking similar container ship casualties in Southeast Asia.

 

Built in 2005, the Sealloyd Arc was originally owned by a Chinese company and was acquired by Sea Lloyd Shipping Lines in September 2025. The vessel operated under the Panama flag.

 

Picture: Mohd Asif Jamil khan Sealloyd / MarineTraffic