At least one crew member of the 2018-built container vessel Xin Qi Sheng 69 is confirmed dead, with three more unconfirmed reports of fatalities, and a further five crew are still missing after the collision with the 1,700TEU Oceana, according to reports.
The accident occurred near the Yangtze River estuary off Shanghai, at approximately 23:30 (Beijing time) on 13 December, according to the latest reports.
Managers Leonhardt & Blumberg said that its managed container vessel Oceana remains anchored off the port of Shanghai awaiting further instructions from the Chinese authorities.
According to the German ship operator, a suspected electrical issue with its steering gear on Oceana caused the vessel’s crew to lose control, and ultimately the ship collided with the Xin Qi Sheng 69 in the East China Sea, near the estuary of the Yangtze River.
“As a result of the impact of the collision Xin Qi Sheng 69 has sunk with casualties reported by the Chinese authorities who are currently continuing their rescue operations,” noted the company in its statement.
There are no injuries to the seafarers on board the 2013-built Oceana, while the vessel has sustained substantial damage as a result of the impact of the collision with a full assessment taking place later.
“A full investigation into the root cause of the incident will follow,” added Leonhardt & Blumberg in its statement.
The incident forced all the sixteen crew members of the Xiamen Qisheng Shipping-owned vessel, Xin Qi Sheng 69, jump into the water, while the local boxship sank with the 650 containers onboard.
The rescuers who arrived at the scene pulled ten crew out of the water alive, as well as, at least, one dead person.
The search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
