Boxship sinks following collision on Thailand’s Chao Phraya River

Chiang Gon, later renamed OPK3 (Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Geir Vinnes)

Thai authorities have responded to an incident wherein two feeder containerships collided with each other on the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province on Tuesday, November 2.

The incident involving OPK3 (pictured) and NP Pathum Thani occurred at around 11:00 local time on Tuesday as the former was entering the Port of Laem Chabang and the latter was sailing in the opposite direction for Klong Toey.

Reports said NP Pathum Thani‘s bow struck OPK3‘s port side, leaving a one-square-metre hull breach through which water entered the damaged vessel.

OPK3 eventually came to rest on a shallow portion of the Chao Phraya with only its superstructure and part of the cargo deck remaining above the waterline. NP Pathum Thani meanwhile suffered only slight damage.

No injuries have been reported on either vessel.

Local maritime authorities are presently overseeing the removal of containers from the partially submerged OPK3 and the placement of booms to contain any possible oil spills that may otherwise spread further out in the Gulf of Thailand.


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