Golden-Zhejiang

The 'Golden Zhejiang' was detained in Constanta on Jan 16, 2026, by authorities under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding. An expanded inspection covered the accommodation and galley, engine room, navigation bridge, decks and forecastle, ballast tanks a.o. The bulk carrier remained stationary in the port as of Jan 19.

Maritime investigators highlighted the dangers associated with free-fall lifeboats on commercial vessels after an inadvertent release sent a lifeboat of the ' Golden Zhejiang' flying into the water and caused serious injuries to a crew member. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report on the incident, which occurred on Sep 2, 2023, when the bulk carrier anchored in the Trincomali Channel, British Columbia, awaiting loading when the incident occurred.  The investigators established that while conducting the safety check, the crew encountered an issue while testing the steering from inside the lifeboat. An attempt to troubleshoot the issue inadvertently activated the main release mechanism, causing the lifeboat to drop into the water with a crew inside. One crew member sustained permanent, life-changing injuries and partial memory loss. The cables securing the lifeboat to the launching structure were not engineered and certified as load-bearing cables. Consequently, they were not safe for the intended use. When the lifeboat was inadvertently released, the securing cables failed, causing the lifeboat to fall into the water. The plunging of the free-fall lifeboat was an accident waiting to happen, considering that a hydraulic leak had existed for some time, something that had prevented the crew from performing required drills. Though the defect had been noted on the monthly safety checks since June 2023, it had not been reported in the planned maintenance system in order to have the leak repaired. The free-fall lifeboat was part of the navigational equipment and life-saving appliances required in commercial vessels and was stowed on a launching structure located at the stern. On the day of the incident, the lifeboat was about 19 meters above the water surface and was positioned with its bow down at an angle of approximately 30 degrees toward the vessel’s stern. With an overall length of 7.5 meters and weighing 4,400 kilograms, it can accommodate up to 30 people. Following the release of the report, TSB was calling for stronger safety measures to prevent similar incidents. Columbia Shipmagement, which manages over 400 vessels, has since implemented safety enhancements including updated lifeboat labelling, revised familiarization checklists and work instructions, and installation of securing turnbuckles.

Golden Ocean Group Limited advised that the Company has entered into an agreement with Knightsbridge Tankers Limited to sell the capesize vessel "Golden Zhejiang" at a sales price of $65,5 million. The vessel will be sold together with the existing 4 year charter agreement. The completion of the transaction is subject to successful financing and equity offering in Knightsbridge Tankers Limited. The deal is expected to be concluded during Q4 2010.The sales proceeds will be used to pay down debt on the asset and the balance, $18,5 million, to acquire a number of restricted common shares in Knightsbridge. The Board sees this increased investment in Knightsbridge as a strategic holding which gives Golden Ocean the opportunity to, together with Knightsbridge, develop new dry bulk business based on mainly yield driven investment criteria. Source: Golden Ocean Group Ltd, http://www.goldenocean.no/?view=hugin_feed&feed=http://cws.huginonline.com/G/135378/PR/201009/1447173.xml&menu=21