The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was informed on 23 January 2026 that the Singapore-registered bulk carrier Devon Bay had sunk in the South China Sea, while en route to Yangjiang, China.
The 15 survivors of 21 crew of Filipino nationals were rescued by the China Coast Guard in the South China Sea and handed over the Philippines Coast Guard on in a mid-sea transfer on Sunday.
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As the vessel’s Flag State, MPA is in contact with the ship owner and relevant search and rescue authorities and is providing support as required. MPA will continue to investigate the incident.
KLPL confirmed that the 56,095 dwt, 2013-built ship was carrying a cargo of nickel ore at the time of the incident on 22 January, rather than iron ore as was originally reported by the Philippines Coast Guard.
The Singapore-registered Devon Bay was sailing from Gutalac, Zamboanga del Sur in the Philippines to Yangjiang, China, and would appear to have listed and capsized quickly which is consistent with cargo liquefaction casualties, although at this stage the cause of the accident remains unknown.