A BW LNG-controlled LNG carrier ran aground in the Suez Canal on Tuesday and was involved in brief collision with a product tanker.
AIS ship tracking data from MarineTraffic shows the Singapore-flagged, 174,000-cbm BW Lesmes (built 2021) apparently turning sideways across the southern end of the canal where it appeared to have been struck by the 115,018-tanker Burri (built 2019) on its starboard side.
The tanker is managed by TMS Cardiff.
The LNG carrier is laden after discharging a cargo parcel at Cartagena in Spain.
In a statement, BW said BW Lesmes ran aground while transiting southbound through the Suez Canal at approximately 2135 local time on 22 August 2023.
The vessel was refloated by the crew at 0330 local time on 23 August.
“All crew members are safe and accounted for and there were no injuries or any reports of pollution,” the company said.
“Following the incident, the master of the BW Lesmes immediately initiated all onboard safety protocols and quickly notified the relevant authorities,” the company said.
It continued: “Following the grounding, another vessel subsequently allided with the BW Lesmes.
“The allision occurred at a low speed and the vessel’s operational capabilities have not been affected. Initial observations from the crew onboard have reported the vessel remains structurally sound.
BW said its LNG carrier is now under pilotage and proceeding to Suez anchorage for further inspections.
The company said a technical team from Oslo will arrive this afternoon to start investigations.
“The safety of BW Lesmes and all onboard remains our highest priority,” the company said, extending its thanks to the local authorities for their “swift and efficient assistance”.
TMS Cardiff said in a statement that following the collision with the LNG carrier, the Burri has exited the Canal and dropped its anchor safely at the Suez Anchorage.
The company said the vessel awaits further assessment by the classification society and technical team, which are arriving in Egypt later today.
Suez Canal Authority chairman Lieutenant General Osama Rabie said on X, formerly Twitter, that navigation on the waterway resumed within hours.
He said four tugs were attending the BW Lesmes and the Burri was being towed outside the waterway.
"Navigation will be back to normal in both directions within the coming hours," he added.
Incidents involving LNG carriers are relatively rare and spark concerns over safety in the sector.
