MMA investigates collision of Maltese ship off Jebel Ali

The Malta Maritime Authority is carrying out an investigation into the incident involving the Malta registered MV Kasmir which took place in the United Arab Emirates.

The MMA, as the flag State Administrator, is carrying out this investigation through its appointed inspector in the United Arab Emirates which is in liaison with the MMA Merchant Shipping Directorate, the authority said. The parties involved in the collision are the Maltese registered chemical tanker Kashmir and the Singapore flagged container ship Sima Saman.

The 1988-built, 45,003 dwt chemical tanker Kashmir collided in restricted visibility with the 2006-built, 1,440 teu containership Sima Saman at approximately 9.40 a.m. on Tuesday in a busy shipping channel between five to eight miles off the port Jebel Ali.

The MMA said it was informed that a fire broke out on both ships as a result of the collision which led to two of the 22 tanks of the tanker being ruptured. The Kashmir was reported to have been carrying 30,000 tonnes of oil condensates. By the evening of yesterday the fire was controlled and extinguished and both ships anchored in safe waters off the port.

There were no casualties reported however two crew members of the Sima Saman lifted out of the water and are reported to have suffered slight injuries.

No pollution has so far been reported although it appears that the Kashmir may have lost some of its cargo.