The cargo ship Asia Star is missing after a distress signal sent on 22nd July 2012. The vessel was on route from Dalian to Borneo, Malaysia, when due to engine failure sent distress signal to CG Station in Luzon, Philippines. The known position of the ship Asia Star was 11 nautical miles west of San Fernando City in Luzon, Philippines. The coast guard sent a tug to the vessel, which arrived to the scene and saw the drifting ship, but because of the bad weather, the tug returned into the port and was not able to tow the ship. Since this moment, there is no contact and no information for the cargo ship Asia Star. The heavy sea and the strong winds, made the shipping in South China sea really terrible and dangerous, which caused missing of two cargo ships and several boats. The coast guard informed the vessels in the region to be careful and to watch for any signs and information for the cargo ship Asia Star, which might have sunk or still drifting in distress.
The cargo vessel Asia Star (IMO: 8318867) was built in 1984 by Imai Shipbuilding in their shipyard in Kochi, Japan. The vessel has length 105.00 m, beam of 16.00 m and summer draft of 6.60 m. The ship Asia Star has deadweight of 6,397 DWT and gross tonnage of 3,995 GRT. The vessel is operating under the flag of Panama for the South Korean company Inter Shipmanagement. The ship’s ex names are Asia Great, Inter Glory, BAO AN and Siti Hajar.