Odfjell Chemical Tankers is suing for $3.8m after a collision on the Mississippi River damaged one of its ships.

In a lawsuit filed on 22 October in the US federal court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the Norwegian shipowner alleged the American Commercial Barge Line tug American Way, with two barges in tow, forced the 49,622-dwt Bow Tribute (built 2014) into the east bank of the river.

The collision happened in March.

"[The flotilla] negligently moved approximately 1,250 feet to her port (toward Bow Tribute) and completely eliminated any chance of a safe overtaking, which forced Bow Tribute into the left descending bank causing damages," the lawsuit read.

As a result of the move, the Bow Tribute hit two spud barges next to two New Orleans-owned water tanks and damaged the ship’s hull and propeller.

Odfjell Chemical Tankers accuses American Commercial Barge Line of negligence in navigation and unseaworthiness, alleging the tug did not use its radio and did not obey the Inland Navigation Rules.

The crash caused an estimated $1.5m in damage to the Bow Tribute and loss of hire of $675,000.

It also exposed Odfjell Chemical Tankers to $729,375 of damage claims from the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board and $888,268 in claims from Dunward Dunn.

The Bow Tribute is flagged in Norway, insured by Gard and classed by DNV, according to shipping database Equasis.

The lawsuit said the ship was under bareboat charter at the time.

American Commercial Barge Line did not return a request for comment.