According to the Yangtze Maritime Safety Authorities, a Singapore-registered vessel was hit by a domestic vessel on 15 February while unloading 16,000 tons of palm oil at a terminal privately-owned by China Grain Import and Export Corporation in Zhenjiang. Apart from making a dent in its rear, the impact of the collision broke all the vessel’s mooring cables, causing it to veer towards the main shipping channel.

The Yangtze MSA dispatched one of its experienced pilots who helped steer the vessel back to the berth. The vessel is 144.7 metres long with a draught of 9.3 metres.

The Chinese vessel has been detained by the maritime safety officials, who are investigating the cause of the accident.

Zhenjiang is an important commercial and transportation centre in the southwest of Jiangsu province.