The Panama-registered bulk carrier Farvang suffered a sudden engine failure on 9 March when passing through a treacherous stretch of the Zhangjiagang section of the Yangtze River. The empty vessel narrowly missed hitting the quayside in gale-force conditions, according to local maritime safety authorities.

The pilot on board reported a loss of control and the vessel was able to anchor as advised. That particularly stretch of river is narrow and contains many bends.

The carrier is 152.6 metres long and 24 metres wide, with a draught of 5.5 metres.

An investigation is under way looking into the cause of the engine failure.