Car Carrier Sinks after Collision in North Sea

A car carrier is sinking in the North Sea after colliding with a containership some 40-50 km from the Dutch port of Rotterdam on Wednesday evening, Reuters reports referring to the statement of Dutch coastguard.

Bahamian flagged car carrier Baltic Ace, and the Corvus J, a container ship from Cyprus collided in an important North Sea shipping lane.

Coastguard spokesman Peter Verburg said that the rescue of 24 crew from the Baltic Ace was under way, after members of the crew were found on four life rafts. They were being lifted to safety by helicopters near the scene of the collision, but it was unclear if anyone was missing, he said.

[mappress]

World Maritime News Staff, December 5, 2012