Video Captures Epic Collision Between Laden Containerships in the Suez
BY ROB ALMEIDA

SUEZ CANAL: -- Something went terribly wrong today aboard Hapag-Lloyd’s containership Colombo Express when it lost control and slammed into the Maersk Tanjong today. Both vessels were heading south through the Suez Canal.

From the following AIS replay of the incident, it appears the Colombo Express was attempting to overtake the Maersk Tanjong and when a left rudder was applied to come back to a parallel course, the rudder went hard left.

As rudders on ships like this are powered by large, finely tuned hydraulic systems, it is possible that the this system failed and was the cause of the incident. In fact, while in the Navy, my ship had this very same issue occur, however we were not near any other ships and were able to take manual control of the steering gears and return to port without issue.

Full story: http://gcaptain.com/containerships-collide-suez-canal/

-- gCaptain 2014-09-30

WOW!!! just WOW!!

lovely stuff . . . road canal rage on steroids!

I want to see the fist fight between the captains!

Seems like there was no immediate effort by either ship to back off after the collision

a few nasty emails coming soon for all! damn incident reports

I find it fascinating that due to the size of the ships, the approach seemed to be almost in slow motio.

"Ramming speed, Mr. Sulu!"

someone (s) just lost their career

someone (s) just lost their career

Maybe not if both vessels were under the command of local pilots and/or there was a freak mechanical failure. Would have been interesting to hear the radio then.

Have passed through this stretch of water many times, the bitter lakes mid-way through canal, and although both vessel's would have local pilots onboard they are there as adviser's, The Oldman takes the wrap.

Very hard to change course and speed when you're that close. Agree that steering failure most probable cause - although in these days of bridge controlled engines a broken joystick can spell disaster.

The P&I Clubs are going to be happy. Not!

Isn't it normal to let an express through?

Anyway, very clear that Colombo Express is at fault - no use of indicators...

Must be Arabs, quite normal to be in the right hand lane when you want to turn left.

Like watching paint peel off walls. This is not NASCAR.

Must be Arabs, quite normal to be in the right hand lane when you want to turn left.

It can't be. They weren't blowing their horn.