STS Leeuwin ship crushed by Maersk boxship in WA’s Fremantle Port

Singapore-flagged boxship Maersk Shekou collided with the STS Leeuwin in Fremantle Port early on Friday morning.

As it is reported by the port, at 0615 Friday morning the container ship collided with the STS Leeuwin whilst inbound to the port.

“The Leeuwin was dismasted, however the hull appears to have not been breached,” Fremantle Ports said in its official page in the social media.

Western Australia’s largest and busiest general cargo port, Fremantle Ports, said that “two night watch crew members onboard the Leeuwin at the time sustained non-life threatening injuries and have been taken to hospital for observation.”

The cause of the incident is not known at this stage and a full investigation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Fremantle Ports will follow.

Fremantle Ports is fully assisting and cooperating with this investigation.

Fremantle Ports confirmed with a statement in the social media that “the bow of the 332m, Shekou struck the Leeuwin, and the stern of the vessel caused some damage to A Berth and the Western Australian Maritime Museum roof.”

“Fremantle Ports has stringent operational parameters in place for the movement of ships and in this case the Shekou had two pilots on board and was being accompanied to the berth by four tugs. We are in close contact with the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and are providing them every support. Public access is restricted to A Berth and the Maritime Museum whilst we undertake inspections. Gage Roads Brew Co is unaffected and is trading as usual,” Fremantle Ports said in its statement on Friday.