The officer of a general cargoship is facing a trial in Norway following a bridge collision in 2019.

The 26-year-old helmsman is accused of falling asleep while in charge of the 2,300-dwt Framfjord (built 1990) when it hit the Nordhordlandsbrua structure between Bergen and Flatoy on 6 June.

Damage to the superstructure of the ship — estimated at NOK 10m ($1.2m) — was so severe it was declared a total loss.

An excavator in front of the wheelhouse was completely crushed.

Photos from a rescue boat show the Framfjord lodged under the bridge.

"It is an ugly case in the sense that it caused great damage. In the worst case, the bridge could have been put out of action, and there could have been serious personal injury," said prosecuting police attorney Trygve Ritland, according to NRK.

Ritland added that the prosecution has issued an indictment because the man has not given a full confession.

The penalty under the charge is imprisonment of up to two years.

Ritland said the vessel was in familiar waters and the passage should have been routine.

No injuries were reported to the seven seafarers on board. The bridge suffered damage of more than NOK 9m. Police believe the accident has shortened its viable life.

The defendant's counsel, Kjetil Ottesen, told NRK: "It has been a burden for him to wait for over two years for the police to finish investigating the case."

The unnamed man will appear in Hordaland District Court on 14 December.

Norwegian operator Fonnes Offshore has been contacted for comment.