Japanese destroyer collides with Chinese fishing boat off Shanghai

By Baird Maritime - April 1, 2020.

*JS Shimakaze in 2017 (Photo: US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate)*

A Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) vessel collided with a Chinese fishing boat off the coast of Shanghai on Sunday, March 29, the Japanese Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed.

The Hatakaze-class destroyer JS Shimakaze had departed Sasebo and was conducting a patrol when it collided with the unnamed fishing boat at around 20:30 local time on Sunday.

The MOD said that Shimakaze suffered damage to its port side though both it and the fishing boat were still able to sail under their own power following the collision. No injuries have been reported on either vessel.

The Japan Coast Guard and the MOD have launched an investigation into the incident.