MV Dan awaits salvage off Kenya
Salvage operations for the Turkish-owned MV Dan continue to be planned off Kenya’s Nyali Beach, where the vessel has remained aground near a protected marine area since mid-May.
The Turkish-owned general cargo vessel MV Dan has been stranded off Nyali Beach in Kenyan waters for several weeks after running aground on 17 May while en route from Tanzania’s Tanga port.
According to maritime reports and Kenyan authorities, the 1985-built, 4,900 dwt vessel drifted off course before grounding near the environmentally sensitive area close to Mombasa Marine National Park.
The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has stated that inspections conducted after the incident confirmed the vessel’s hull remains intact, with no signs of structural failure or oil leakage. As a result, the immediate environmental risk is assessed to be minimal, although monitoring continues.
To ensure safety and prevent unauthorized access, the Kenya Coast Guard has maintained continuous security around the vessel, while a multi-agency team oversees the situation.
Salvage operations are being coordinated with the vessel’s owners, SLA Maritime Co., with plans to refloat the ship during a favorable tide window expected around mid-July. Authorities emphasize that the operation will be conducted under strict maritime and environmental safety standards due to the vessel’s proximity to a protected marine ecosystem.
The grounding has drawn attention due to its location near coral reef zones and the Mombasa Marine National Park, raising concerns among environmental observers, although no pollution has been reported so far.
A full technical inspection of the vessel, including previous safety deficiencies identified in earlier port state control checks in Europe, is expected once the ship is successfully refloated and brought to port.
For now, the MV Dan remains under close surveillance as salvage teams prepare for the next operational window.
