A fuel spill has been reported following a collision between a Chinese product tanker and a fishing vessel off the Netherlands.

The incident involving the 35,000-dwt Golden Daisy (built 2021) took place in the early hours of Thursday near Ijmuiden.

The Netherlands Coast Guard said the unnamed fishing boat hit the anchored tanker, operated by Seacon Shipping Group of China.

The accident was reported at 0300 local time (0200 GMT).

“Oil spilt into the sea due to the damage to the tanker,” the Coast Guard said.

The organisation added a wing tank had been damaged.

A photo showed a large gash in the ship’s hull 10 metres above the water line.

The vessel’s crew pumped oil out of the tank to prevent a further leak.

An oil control vessel called Arca was sent to the scene and a Coast Guard aircraft was deployed to assess whether the small amount of pollution can be controlled.

Probe begins

Maritime police and the country’s environment and transport inspectorate are investigating the collision.

The Osprey, a Coast Guard patrol vessel, has also sailed to the anchorage to assist with the probe.

The fishing vessel reached the harbour in Ijmuiden under its own power, while the Golden Daisy has remained at anchorage. There were no reports of injury to the crew.

Seacon Shipping has been contacted for comment.

The Golden Daisy has insurance cover through the Swedish Club.

The vessel is worth $29.5m, according to VesselsValue.