Ministries of Defense and Construction Direct Response to Typhoon No. 13 and 174,000-Ton Cargo Ship Incident

On November 6th, in response to the escalating complexity of Typhoon No. 13, a joint delegation from the Ministry of Construction, led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang, and the Ministry of National Defense, headed by Senior Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son—Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army—convened with the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai Province. The meeting addressed preparedness measures for Typhoon No. 13 and the grounding of the Star Bueno vessel in the waters of Dung Quat.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Typhoon No. 13 is categorized as extremely severe (Level 14, with gusts up to Level 17). It is moving rapidly in a west-northwest direction at approximately 25 km/h. By the evening of November 6th, the storm’s eye is projected to make landfall near the coastal areas of Quang Ngai and Gia Lai, bringing gusts exceeding Level 15, waves of 6–8 meters, and storm surges that may cause severe flooding, landslides, and flash floods in mountainous regions.

Recognizing the critical urgency, Military Region 5 declared a high-level emergency, mandating proactive coordination among forces under the “4 on-the-spot” principle. The Quang Ngai Provincial Military Command established four auxiliary command posts in Cam Thanh, Duc Pho, Van Tuong, and Kon Tum, mobilizing over 1,500 personnel and hundreds of vehicles, canoes, and rescue boats. These units are poised to respond swiftly to any adverse developments.

Specialized units from Military Region 5, including the 270th Engineering Brigade, the 575th Signal Brigade, and the Logistics and Technical Department, have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, medical support, and logistical readiness at the local level.

During the meeting, leaders from both ministries commended the proactive, urgent, and responsible efforts of Military Region 5 and the Quang Ngai Provincial Military Command. They emphasized, “The current situation is dire, with the typhoon advancing rapidly and at maximum intensity. All forces must remain vigilant, closely monitor developments, and maintain 24/7 readiness to safeguard both civilian lives and state assets. The military must serve as the steadfast backbone and spearhead in all scenarios.”

Under the approved plan, military units and local authorities are prepared to evacuate nearly 10,000 households from coastal and landslide-prone areas to safety. Post-typhoon recovery efforts, including debris clearance and infrastructure restoration, are also prearranged.

The delegation also reviewed the response to the Star Bueno incident, which ran aground on October 26th due to adverse weather while transporting 174,000 tons of iron ore from South Africa to Dung Quat. Although refloated on October 29th, inspections revealed water ingress in several cargo holds, heightening the risk of an oil spill, particularly as the typhoon approaches.

Ministry leaders directed the shipowner and captain of the Star Bueno to urgently implement safety protocols, ensuring the safe evacuation of all crew members. They also mandated the sealing of fuel tanks, ventilation systems, and cargo hatches to mitigate environmental contamination risks.

To address potential oil spills, the Quang Ngai Port Authority, in collaboration with the Central Regional Oil Spill Response Center and local agencies, has deployed containment booms around the vessel and established a 24/7 response team to mitigate environmental risks.