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2 Container Ships Collide Off Vietnam

Published Nov 8, 2013 8:27 AM by The Maritime Executive

Photo: Heung A Dragon

A South Korean container ship nearly sank after it collided with the Marshall-Island cargo vessel Eleni off the coast of Vietnam. No casualties were reported.

Late Thursday night, the Heung A Dragon was carrying containers from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City when it collided with the Eneli – which was departing from the Phu My Port. The accident occurred 2.2 nautical miles off the Vung Tau coast.

Local authorities said that all 19 crewmembers on the Heung A Dragon were rescued and returned to shore safely.

About five hours after the incident occurred, the ship was aground and was listing at 45 degrees. Around 60 containers have fallen off the ship and are floating on the sea. 20 containers have been retrieved by local authorities.

The Vung Tau Port Authority and the Provincial Border Guards are discussing measures to collect all the remaining floating containers and save the stranded ship. Other ships are being prevented from entering the area, so to not hit floating containers.