A Greek navy minesweeper has been cut in two by a collision involving a containership on charter to AP Moller-Maersk.
The accident happened on Tuesday morning off Piraeus, leaving two Greek naval personnel with minor injuries.
The 4,405-teu Maersk Launceston (built 2005), managed by JT Essberger, was not damaged.
Footage showed the Greek vessel Kallisto listing and sinking. A tug later towed its bow section to the Salamina naval base.
The rest of the vessel's 27-strong crew were unhurt.
It was not immediately clear how the collision happened, the Hellenic Coast Guard told Reuters.
Essberger told TradeWinds the captain of Maersk Launceston has now been charged in connection with the incident, without giving further details.
The Greek coast guard said the master was held over alleged violations of the Greek penal code and of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.
The arrest of the Polish captain was ordered by the Greek prosecutor, local media said.
Breathalyser tests on both sets of ship officers were negative.
Greek minister of shipping Ioannis Plakiotakis told reporters he was glad no one was seriously injured.
He added weather conditions were good at the time.
Probe begins as boxship held
The Piraeus Port Authority has launched an investigation and prevented the boxship from leaving.
The Maersk vessel, with 22 crew members, was bound for Canakkale in Turkey.
The coastguard sent three patrol boats to take the crew off the Kallisto, as well as two anti-pollution vessels.
JT Essberger said there were no injuries to its crew.
"A first assessment of the vessel has not shown damage to the vessel," the German company said. "A further assessment will follow once the ship is at its lay-by berth."
JT Essberger notified all relevant authorities, and the crew participated in the rescue operation for the seafarers of the Kallisto.
"The vessel has been requested to stay in the area," the manager said.
The Maersk Launceston has now reached its berth in Piraeus.
"A representative of the company has been attending the vessel in order to provide support to the master and crew," the manager said.
Assisting with investigation
"The exact cause of the incident is yet unknown. The coastguard have been conducting preliminary interviews with the crew of the Maersk Launceston."
A class inspection was due to take place on Wednesday.
JT Essberger expressed its concern over the injuries to the naval personnel. The boxship had just left Piraeus at the time of the collision.
Maersk said it is in contact with the owner and offering its full support in handling "this serious incident".
The Maersk Launceston, which has insurance cover with the UK P&I Club, has one port-state control detention on its record.
The ship was held in Brisbane, Australia, in July last year with two deficiencies relating to lashing material and the International Safety Management Code.
