Maritime rescue operations are underway in the Suez Canal after a tugboat sank due to a collision with the LPG tanker China Gas Legend, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Osama Rabie said on Saturday 05/08/2023.
According to the Suez Canal Authority, a collision between the tanker “CHINAGAS LEGEND” and one of the authority’s tugboats “Fahd” occurred in the km 51 area of the Al-Balah bypass.
This resulted in openings in the tugboat’s hull, causing water ingress and subsequent sinking.
The traffic in the Suez Canal was not affected by the incident.
The Chairman of the Authority explained in a statement that the collision occurred while the tanker was crossing the Suez Canal as part of the southbound convoy on its journey from Singapore to the United States of America.
The vessel, currently sailing under the flag of Hong Kong, is 230 metres in length and 36 metres in width, with a draft of 27 feet and a total load of 52,000 tons. Currently, the ship is waiting in Port Said until the procedures related to the accident are completed.
Rabie added that the maritime rescue team, affiliated with the Authority, was immediately dispatched to rescue the tugboat’s crew, consisting of 7 individuals, and rescue operations are still ongoing.
A rescue crane has also been deployed to salvage the tugboat. Rabie noted that a detailed report is being prepared regarding the causes of the accident and the crew’s condition.
Source: State Information Service Egypt
