Cargo ships collide in North Sea

Two cargo ships collided in the North Sea some 25 kilometres off Germany’s northwestern coast on Thursday, November 15.

The Turkish-flagged Paksoy 1 (pictured) collided with the Dutch-flagged EEMS Cobalt at around 21:30 local time

The vessels’ AIS tracks showed the 114-metre Paksoy 1 making an abrupt U-turn after having passed the 82-metre EEMS Cobalt. The sudden manoeuvre caused Paksoy 1 to strike the smaller vessel’s starboard side.

The impact left Paksoy 1 with a damaged bow and EEMS Cobalt with a hole above the waterline.

The vessels were separated the following morning and sailed under their own power to their respective destinations. Paksoy 1 sailed for Westerems while EEMS Cobalt headed for Eemshaven.

No injuries or oil spills have been reported.