A cable-laying vessel suffered a hull breach after colliding with a containership outside the port of Karachi, Pakistan, on May 28. The incident involved the UAE-owned cable ship Niwa and the Liberia-flagged containership Papu near the outer anchorage of Karachi Port. No injuries were reported, though local media said some containers may have fallen overboard.
The Niwa (7,900 dwt), a 146-metre vessel built in 1991, was arriving from Salalah, Oman and maneuvering toward Karachi when the collision occurred. The vessel sustained significant structural damage, including a hole in the hull that caused water ingress.
The Papu (38,000 dwt), a 2,700 TEU containership built in 2008 and operated by Turkish interests, was departing Karachi for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the time of the incident. Authorities reported no major structural damage to the boxship.
Port tugs responded shortly after the collision and escorted the damaged Niwa to a berth in Karachi for inspection and repairs, while Papu was instructed to remain at anchorage pending investigation.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs said authorities are assessing structural and environmental impacts while port operations continue normally. Preliminary findings reportedly suggest possible negligence by the masters of both vessels.
The incident remains under investigation.
