Two containerships collide at South Korean port

No injuries were reported from the Saturday incident in which the Safmarine Nokwanda struck the Tianjin, which was docked at the port.

   Containerships Safmarine Nokwanda and Tianjin collided Saturday at South Korea’s Busan New Port, resulting in damage to both ships and containers on the Tianjin.
   The 10,062-TEU Tianjin, a ZIM Container Service Pacific vessel, was docked at the port when it was struck by the Safmarine Nokwanda as it approached alongside, according to a ZIM customer advisory. No injuries were reported.
   The Tianjin sustained structural damage to its stern with some containers also receiving damage, while the Safmarine Nokwanda, a 4,045-TEU ship operated by Maersk’s South African unit Safmarine, suffered damage to its bow. No cargo aboard the Safmarine Nokanda was damaged, Bonnie Huang, Maersk’s China communication and media relations manager, said Tuesday in an email.
   Both ships have since departed the South Korean port. The Tianjin is en route to Balboa, Panama, according to AIS data, while the Safmarine Nokwanda is on its way to Nantong, China. Once in China, it will enter into dry dock for maintenance as part of the original plan, which is not due to the incident, Huang said.
   VesselFinder created a video simulation of the collision.