UK: three injured after pilot boat bumps into Q-Max LNG tanker

Three crew members from a pilot boat have been injured after a collision with the Q-Max LNG carrier Lijmiliya in the UK’s Port of Milford Haven.

“The Port of Milford Haven can confirm that in the early hours of Sunday morning (10th July) an incident occurred when its pilot vessel St Davids made hard contact with LNG carrier Lijmiliya during a routine transfer of pilot operation,” the port said in a statement.

Three of the five crew members who were on board the pilot boat at the time suffered injuries which were “minor in nature but required hospital attention”.

All three crew members are now recovering at home, the port said.

“The pilot vessel sustained significant damage however there was no pollution resulting from the incident and normal shipping operations have resumed.”

The 263,000-cbm Lijmiliya, one of the largest LNG tankers in the world with a length of 345 meters, is owned by Qatari LNG shipping giant Nakilat and operated by Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd. (STASCo).

The Qatargas-chartered Lijmiliya, loaded with a cargo from Ras Laffan, was on it way to the South Hook import terminal located in the Port of Milford Haven when the incident occurred.

A spokeswoman for the Port of Milford Haven confirmed to LNG World News that the LNG tanker discharged the Qatari cargo at the import terminal and left the port.

The Port of Milford Haven has begun its investigation process into the exact cause of the incident.

LNG World News Staff