TOI reported that as per an officer of recently sunk iron ore laden MV Asian Forest, excess moisture in iron ore fines was the cause of listing of the vessel and subsequent sinking.

Mr Yang Gao Peng, chief officer of the MV Asian Forest told TOI that "We were not overloaded, too much moisture in iron ore fines caused the vessel to tilt.''

Mr Peng said the moisture content caused the cargo to move and caused the tilt on the starboard side.

He told that "We used the ballast to balance, but after some time, the portside list was too much.''

(Sourced from TOI)