Damaged Elsa Essberger Sails to Rotterdam Port

The chemical tanker Elsa Essberger, which collided with an offshore oil platform on December 31, received a green light to enter the port of Rotterdam.

Upon arriving at the port, the ship’s captain and the watchkeeper were arrested and questioned, the Dutch Coast Guard informed.

The Portuguese-flagged ship suffered considerable damage in the collision, which occurred in the Dutch North Sea while the tanker was on its way from Antwerp, Belgium to Malmö, Sweden.

The 2013-built vessel hit the unmanned and out-of-service Q1 platform, southwest of Texel, north of Den Helder.

Revelant authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which will focus on the tanker’s presence in the 500-meter safety zone around the platform.

World Maritime News Staff