MV Iron Baron (formerly MV Ocean Express and MV Irrawaddy) was a 37,557 dwt bulk carrier built in 1985. It was chartered by BHP Shipping in 1990.On 10 July 1995 it was nearing the end of a voyage transporting 24,000 tonnes of manganese ore from Groote Eylandt via Port Kembla to the port of Launceston in northern Tasmania, Australia. Weather conditions at the time were north-westerly 37–46 km/h (20–25 knot) winds and two-metre seas.