It seems some vessels are just built unlucky-one of the worlds jinxed ships could definitely be the 1991-built 3,884dwt "Asphalt Venture". Now renamed, and having been hijacked in its previous incarnation, it has finally succumbed to the waves and sunk.
Now named "Bitu Gulf", the asphalt/bitumen tanker sank in the South China Sea after taking in water, southeast of Phan Rang, Vietnam.
Local rescue centres had received emergency reports from the vessel, saying the ship was flooded. Subsequently, contact was lost and the ship was found to have sunk.
Thankfully all 16 crew were rescued by Evergreen Marine Corp's container ship "Ever Summit" and taken to Malaysia.
The crew were more fortunate than the seven Indian crew left behind in Somalia when the vessel was released. "Asphalt Venture" was held from September 28, 2010 until 15th April 2011. Alas seven crew are still in captivity today, being held by pirates ashore in Somalia.