Panamanian maritime authorities reported yesterday that they are investigating the sinking of a Panamanian-flagged vessel south of the Asian country with 16 crew members on board, who were rescued. The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) stated that it "is conducting a safety investigation in collaboration with the Maritime Administration of Thailand, regarding the sinking of the Panamanian-flagged vessel Sealloyd Arc (IMO 8682036)", as highlighted in a press release. Panama specified that the sinking occurred on February 7, 2026, in the vicinity of the coast of Phuket province, southern Thailand, and that "the 16 crew members of the vessel were successfully rescued and taken ashore by Thai search and rescue services prior to the sinking". However, the causes of the sinking "will be determined as the investigation progresses". According to the specialized outlet Portal Portuario, the Sealloyd Arc sank while sailing from Masalia to Bangladesh, causing an oil spill, as it was transporting 297 containers, including 14 with hazardous materials.
