A Syrian master has been jailed in Italy following a fatal collision in 2014.

The unnamed captain was handed a sentence of two years and 10 months, local press reported.

The 4,500-dwt general cargoship Lady Aziza (built 1991) hit the 3,350-dwt cargoship Gokbal (built 2011) off the Adriatic coastline, killing five crew when the latter sank.

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The master was tried for negligence and negligent homicide.

An investigation blamed the two ship captains, but only Lady Aziza's survived the accident.

The Italian coast guard said the incident happened in poor visibility a mile offshore.

No injuries were reported to the crew of Lady Aziza.

Lady Aziza was sold in March at auction in Italy for EUR 650,000 ($801,600) and was cleared to leave the port of Ravenna.

Gokbal traded as part of the fleet of Istanbul-based Cetinkaya Denizcilik Transport, while Lady Aziza was operated by KMF Shipping with a registered address in St Kitts & Nevis.