A Chinese bulk carrier ran aground while carrying 750 tonnes of fuel.

The An Yang 2 was beached off the western coast of Sakhalin, a Russian island in the Pacific Ocean, north of Japan, on February 8.

Russian state media reported that the vessel, with a crew of 20, was carrying 700 tonnes of fuel oil, 50 tonnes of diesel fuel, and 1,000 tonnes of coal.

Footage shows the vessel sitting high out of the water after running aground, with reports stating that it cannot return to sea.

The intense video reveals the ship positioned very close to shore, with its rudder and propeller nearly out of the water as waves crash against its side.

Two holes have been discovered in the vessel, but Rosmorrechflot, the Russian Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport has stated that there is no risk of fuel leakage, as the holes are located in the ballast tanks and forepeak.

It remains unclear what will happen to the vessel and what measures will be taken to remove the fuel safely.

A bulk carrier, commonly referred to as a bulk freighter or a bulker, is a merchant vessel designed specifically for transporting unpackaged bulk commodities such as coal, grain, sugar, cement, or other industry staples.

Since the introduction of the first specialised bulker in 1852, economic influences have fueled the continual advancement of the ships, resulting in greater size and complexity.

The ships play an essential role in the global economy by facilitating the transport of goods worldwide. There are even a number of investment funds or trusts that specialise in the maritime industry.