Norwegian chemical tanker Xanthia collided with two cargo ships in Valderhaugfjorden near Ålesund early on October 4, with all three vessels sustaining damage. One of the cargo ships took on water, but no injuries were reported.
Norway’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received a mayday call at around 1:37 a.m. local time. The three vessels were reportedly under way when the collision occurred in a relatively narrow section of the fjord. Two were travelling north and one south, while poor visibility and darkness were reported in the area.
Xanthia, operated by Norwegian shipping company Utkilen, is a 147-metre chemical tanker. The vessel was sailing from Elnesvågen in Norway to Förby in Finland when the incident occurred. Xanthia remained at anchor after the collision and was reported to have no water ingress.
The other vessels were identified as Hav Frakt and Bergfjord. Around 30 crew members were aboard the three ships, with no evacuation required. Two vessels reached the Ålesund area under their own power, while the third anchored in the fjord.
A major response involving the Norwegian Navy frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen, rescue vessels, civilian boats and a rescue helicopter was launched following the mayday call. The helicopter later returned after authorities determined that an evacuation was not necessary.
Norwegian authorities have launched an investigation into the collision. The cause has not yet been established. Authorities are also assessing the damage to the vessels and monitoring the cargo ship that sustained water ingress.