Nine Missing After Mercosul Line Containership Collides With A Tug

Nine people were reported missing after Mercosul Santos container ship collided with a tug pushing barges on the Amazon river on Wednesday, August 2.

The tug sank along with its eleven crew members and some barges owned by Bertolini.

The incident took place at around 4.40 AM (local time), approximately 78 miles from the port of Santarem.

According to the local media, two crew members have been rescued, whereas search and rescue operation has been launched for the missing crew.

The ship is owned by Mercosul Line, a Brazilian shipowner specialized in the transportation of containerized cargo. The company became part of Danish Maersk Group in 2006.

However, earlier this year Maersk Line inked a deal with French liner company CMA CGM to sell Mercosul Line as a way of making sure the relevant regulatory authorities approve its merger with Hamburg Süd.

A video of the incident was posted online: