The containership Maersk Gironde and the car carrier SFL Composer collided late on August 5 in the Danish Straits near the island of Funen, a key maritime route into the Baltic Sea. The collision occurred shortly before midnight as both ships were transiting the deep-water channel leading into the Baltic Sea.
According to the Danish Maritime Authority, both vessels sustained structural damage above the waterline and have been detained for inspection and investigation. No injuries, cargo damage, or pollution have been reported.
Photos published in Danish media show visible scraping along the side of the SFL Composer, including a dent and hole near the stern. The Maersk Gironde sustained damage to its bow.
Maersk Gironde, a 4,544 TEU container vessel built in 2002, was sailing from Wilhelmshaven, Germany, to Gdansk, Poland. It is now safely anchored west of Zealand, awaiting approval to resume its voyage.
SFL Composer, a 6,500 CEU car carrier built in 2006 and chartered to Volkswagen, was en route from Emden to Odense at the time of the collision. It is now being towed to the shipyard for repairs assisted by two tugs.
Photo: Michael Bager
