Norway Detains Two Cargo Ships After Three-Vessel Collision Near Alesund

A collision occurred involving a tanker and two other cargo ships in a narrow fjord near Ålesund on Norway’s west coast. All three vessels suffered damages in the accident that happened on Sunday, October 4.

There were no injuries to any of the 30 crew members on the three vessels, with no evacuation necessary. The 88-meter bulk carrier vessel Bergfjord has suffered damage to its bow and flooded with water.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has ordered the two ships Bergfjord and Hav Frakt to stay in Ålesund until they complete their repairs, which would be subject to the approval of the Norwegian maritime authority.

The 147-meter vessel Xanthia has also suffered damages but was allowed to proceed with its journey because of the impact without hull damage.

The ship Xanthia was authorised to move under its own power to Finland to unload its cargo. It should then move to Tallinn, Estonia, where repairs should be made.

The three ships had collided on the eastern side of Valderøya in Valderhaugfjorden, which is a narrow stretch of water near Ålesund.

All the three ships were moving when the accident occurred; two of them were moving north while the third was moving south. Poor visibility and darkness in the fjord at that time were mentioned by the police and rescue crews.

The ships varied in length from 80 to 147 meters. Ships Bergfjord and Hav Frakt were 88 meters each, whereas Xanthia was 147 meters long.

There were seven crew members on each of the two cargo ships and 16 on Xanthia.

The accident caused an emergency response when the Norwegian Joint Rescue Coordination Center received a Mayday call through coastal radio at 1:37 a.m.

A rescue helicopter, rescue vessel, civilian vessels and the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen responded to the incident. Shore emergency services and police were also involved.

The crews of all three vessels remained aboard throughout the response, and no evacuation was needed.

The ships were later reported safely berthed or anchored near Ålesund. There were no reports of an oil spill or other environmental damage.

Norwegian police are investigating the circumstances of the collision, including the movements of the three vessels and the actions of the crews.

Investigators are examining AIS tracks and technical data from the Norwegian Coastal Administration and are conducting interviews with those involved.

The police has also conducted medical tests of some of the persons aboard the vessels and concluded that none of them were under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

By Oct. 5, three persons had been identified as suspects for reckless navigation as per the Ship Safety Act of Norway. Nobody had been charged formally, and the police were yet to interview all three captains.

The NSIA has initiated independent investigations.

An NSIA official said the agency was collecting available information, including electronic traces, to establish what happened. The authority will decide whether the incident warrants a full safety investigation.

Norwegian maritime inspectors boarded the ships after the accident.

DNV, acting on behalf of Norwegian Maritime Authority, boarded the Xanthia on Sunday evening. The Maritime Authority performed its investigation on the next day, after which the ship got provisional permission to sail.