Containership and cable-laying vessel collide off Karachi
A collision between the UAE-flagged cable-laying vessel Niwa and the Liberian-flagged containership Papu occurred during the early hours of 28 May in waters outside Karachi Port, causing significant damage to the cable vessel and resulting in a container overboard.
According to initial reports, the incident took place near the port’s anchorage area as Niwa was approaching Karachi from Salalah, Oman, while Papu was outbound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. No injuries were reported among the crews of either vessel.
The collision reportedly breached Niwa’s hull and caused substantial structural damage. Local media indicated that Papu sustained no significant damage, although one container was lost overboard during the incident.
Furthermore, emergency response teams, including port tugs, were deployed to assist the vessels. The damaged Niwa was subsequently escorted to a berth in Karachi for assessment and repairs, while Papu was instructed to remain at anchorage pending inspection by authorities.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, stated that preliminary findings point to possible negligence on the part of the masters of both vessels.
Authorities are continuing to evaluate the extent of the damage and assess any potential environmental consequences arising from the collision. Port operations at Karachi have not been affected, and vessel traffic has continued uninterrupted as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain underway.
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