An Ocean Network Express (ONE) container ship has hit a floating bridge in the eastern lane of the Suez Canal after a rudder malfunction.
The 8,670-teu ONE Orpheus (built 2008) was part of a convoy heading for the Netherlands from Singapore when it hit the Mansi Bridge.
Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chairman Osama Rabie said as soon as the main navigation control centre received notification of the accident, four tugs were sent to assist the ship.
The ships behind the ONE Orpheus were also instructed to moor.
The tugs are now preparing a towage operation.
Rabie said the incident was an “emergency situation” but added that navigation in the waterway would not be affected.
Ships heading south have been able to continue their journey as normal, according to the SCA, while ships heading north have been diverted to the old Suez Canal channel.
Rabie said the authority “possesses the necessary rescue expertise and the necessary navigational and technical insurance capabilities to deal professionally with potential emergency situations”.
The ONE Orpheus is owned by Japan’s Meiji Shipping and is insured with Gard.
In 2021, the 20,124-teu Ever Given (built 2018) grounded for six days in the canal, causing widespread delays and disruption to world trade.
Singapore-based ONE recently announced it is looking to tap growing business links between India and the US with a new liner service via the Suez Canal.
The weekly service will deploy nine vessels on a route connecting the Indian ports of Hazira, Nhava Sheva and Mundra with New York, Norfolk, Savannah and Charleston in the US.
ONE said the service, which will also call at Damietta in Egypt, Algeciras in Spain and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, offers further connections to Mediterranean destinations in combination with other services.
