Security · Operations·23 Aug 2026·Bay of Bengal · India
Ocean Winner sinks off Paradip. Two survivors, 22 missing
The Panama-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530) sank in the Bay of Bengal on 22 August. Position given by the Indian Coast Guard as approximately 230 NM south-east of Paradip; press reports place it around 240 NM off the Odisha coast.
The vessel had sailed from Paradip on 20 August with a cargo of iron ore. Crew of 24: 20 Chinese, three Myanmar, one Bangladeshi.
MRCC Sri Vijaya Puram was notified of loss of communication at 11:48 local time. The nearby tanker Aisopos was diverted and recovered two survivors from separate liferafts around 20:00. Indian Coast Guard has deployed three ships for the surface search. The Indian Navy also participated. Search for the remaining 22 continues.
The cause of the sinking has not been established. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated the vessel was bound from Paradip to China; some press and AIS references list Singapore as destination. The two survivors are receiving medical care; ranks and identities were still being verified at the time of the official posts.
Established
- Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530), Panama flag, sank 22 Aug in the Bay of Bengal off Paradip (ICG / minister X posts, Splash247, PTI).
- 24 crew onboard; two survivors recovered by Aisopos; 22 missing.
- Cargo: iron ore from Paradip.
- ICG surface search under way with three ships deployed.
Not established
- Cause of the sinking.
- Exact final destination (China vs Singapore).
- Identities and ranks of the two survivors.
- Whether any further survivors have been located after the initial recovery.
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