The Sanwa Maru, a tanker carrying petroleum products, ran aground off the coast of Cape Esan in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, at around 6 p.m. on January 6, 2025.
The vessel had departed from Tomakomai, Hokkaido, earlier that afternoon at approximately 1 p.m. and was en route to Akita when the accident occurred. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the 11 crew members on board, and no oil leakage has been detected as of now
Following the incident, efforts to free the stranded tanker commenced the next day, January 7. The Koyo Maru, a salvage vessel operated by Nippon Salvage, arrived at the site early in the morning, after departing from Muroran Port around 9 p.m. on January 6.
Despite the crew’s efforts to tow the Sanwa Maru out of its position, the operation was unsuccessful that day. As a result, plans to continue the refloating efforts were scheduled for January 8.