A coastal chemical tanker Maruoka Maru collided with a small fishing vessel off Kobe, Japan, on February 11, 2026, injuring one crewman on the fishing boat.
The Japan Coast Guard reported the incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. JST east of the Akashi Strait, near the approaches to Kobe Harbor. The master of MV Maruoka Maru contacted the coast guard after the impact. Both vessels sustained damage to their bows.
The skipper of the fishing boat suffered a head injury and was medically evacuated to a local hospital for treatment; authorities say his injuries are not life-threatening. The tanker’s cargo at the time was not publicly disclosed, and there are no reports of hazardous spills.
MV Maruoka Maru is a 1,000 DWT chemical tanker built in 2020 and employed in domestic coastal trade between Kure, Kobe, and Osaka under Japanese management. After the collision, the vessel departed the area, proceeding westbound toward Kure.
The Japan Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the cause of the collision, which occurred in an area with regular commercial traffic.
