Multi-vessel collision in the Suez Canal

Classification

Incident Type: Collision
Severity: High

Vessel Details

Field	Value
Vessel Name	NYK Orpheus / Panamax Alexander
Vessel Names	NYK Orpheus / Panamax Alexander / Aeneas / Sakizaya Kalon / Osios David
Vessel Type	Container
IMO Number	9313008
Gross Tonnage	99543
LOA (m)	336

The available article identifies Aeneas as a 5,100-TEU containership and Panamax Alexander, Sakizaya Kalon, and Osios David as bulk carriers. It does not provide their registry particulars.

Incident Details

Field	Value
Date	2018-07-15
Location	Suez Canal
Region	Egypt
Coordinates	30.6053, 32.3331
Fatalities
Injuries
Missing
Vessels Lost
Direct Damage
Economic Damage
Outcome	A grounding and multiple collisions delayed both canal convoys and closed the southbound section for several hours.

Key facts

Baird Maritime reported that Aeneas grounded after an initial mechanical problem.
Panamax Alexander, Sakizaya Kalon, and Osios David collided while attempting to stop behind Aeneas.
Panamax Alexander later collided with the northbound containership NYK Orpheus while heading towards the Great Bitter Lake.
The casualties delayed dozens of vessels and closed the southbound canal section for several hours.
The article reported that the Suez Canal Authority arrested four vessels over claims connected with the original collisions and canal damage.

Narrative

The multi-vessel casualty began in the Suez Canal on 15 July 2018 when the containership Aeneas grounded after what Baird Maritime, citing Roose and Partners, described as an initial mechanical problem. Three following bulk carriers, Panamax Alexander, Sakizaya Kalon, and Osios David, then collided while attempting to stop and avoid Aeneas and one another. Panamax Alexander was also reported to have grounded.

Suez Canal Authority tugs freed Aeneas and took it to Suez. Osios David proceeded to Suez under escort or tow. Panamax Alexander and Sakizaya Kalon headed towards an anchorage in the Great Bitter Lake; the article said Sakizaya Kalon was thought to have suffered rudder failure and required a tow. While Panamax Alexander was travelling to the anchorage, it collided with NYK Orpheus in a northbound convoy. NYK Orpheus completed inspections at Port Said and later continued its voyage.

The casualty sequence caused serious delays to dozens of vessels in both directions and closed the southbound section for several hours. Baird Maritime reported that the Suez Canal Authority arrested four vessels in connection with claims arising from the original collisions and canal damage. The available account does not quantify vessel or canal damage, state whether anyone was injured, or provide official causal findings.

Sequence of events

Date/time	Event
2018-07-15	Aeneas grounded after a reported mechanical problem.
2018-07-15	Panamax Alexander, Sakizaya Kalon, and Osios David collided while attempting to stop behind Aeneas.
2018-07-15	Tugs freed Aeneas; the other vessels proceeded towards Suez or the Great Bitter Lake.
2018-07-15	Panamax Alexander collided with northbound NYK Orpheus while heading to the Great Bitter Lake anchorage.
2018-07-19	Baird Maritime reported continuing vessel detentions and disruption-related claims.

Contributing factors

Factor	Evidence status	Description
Mechanical problem aboard Aeneas	Reported	Baird Maritime, citing Roose and Partners, reported that an initial mechanical problem caused Aeneas to ground.
Suspected rudder failure aboard Sakizaya Kalon	Suspected	The article said Sakizaya Kalon was thought to have suffered rudder failure and required a tow.

Investigation

The available Baird Maritime account does not identify a formal casualty investigation or published findings. Its account of the initiating mechanical problem and suspected rudder failure is reported information, not an official causal determination.

References

Baird Maritime, “Major collision in Suez Canal”