CMA CGM Feeder Collides with Barge on River Scheldt, Resulting in Injuries and Overboard Incident

Image credits: KNRM

A recent report from KNRM highlights a significant maritime incident that occurred on May 30, 2025, when the Containerships Nord, a container vessel operated by CMA CGM, collided with the inland fuel barge Beringzee on the River Scheldt. This mishap unfolded around 14:15 near Marlemon anchorage, situated between Antwerp and Vlissingen.

The collision resulted in severe damage to the Beringzee and left one crew member with serious injuries while two others where thrown into the water.The accident transpired close to buoy 64-A in the main channel of Western Scheldt, near Verdronken Land van Saeftinge.

At that moment, the Beringzee was navigating through the river when it was overtaken by Containerships Nord—a much larger vessel measuring 170 meters long and capable of carrying up to 1,400 TEUs.

While authorities are still piecing together what led to this crash, early findings indicate that the containership struck and ran over the barge. This unfortunate event caused rapid flooding of Beringzee and resulted in fuel leaking into the river.

According to KNRM’s reports on their rescue efforts, one individual sustained serious injuries during this incident. The captain of Beringzee along with another sailor found themselves in perilous waters but were swiftly rescued. Remarkably, despite being injured himself after swallowing water during his attempts at rescue, the captain managed to save his injured crew member from a rapidly flooding section of their vessel before pulling his fellow sailor from danger.

The seriously hurt individual was subsequently transferred onto a Belgian police boat for emergency care provided by a nurse who arrived via Coast Guard helicopter. He was later airlifted for further medical attention at a hospital.

On another note, Containerships Nord—on its route from Antwerp to Dunkirk—only suffered minor damages and continued its journey after dropping anchor near Vlissingen for inspection later that evening.

Video credits: Flows/YouTube

In response to this collision, an extensive joint rescue operation took place involving multiple agencies including KNRM lifeboats Jan van Engelenburg (Hansweert) and Zeemanshoop (Breskens), as well as police boats from both Belgium and Netherlands among others.The injured captain was brought ashore at Hansweert aboard Zeemanshoop while Jan van Engelenburg transported his sailor colleague back safely too. Fortunately for both men involved in this ordeal—they did not require hospitalization after being assessed by ambulance teams; they were eventually picked up by their employer’s vessel.

To prevent further disaster as they worked on recovery efforts around heavily damaged Beringzee two support tankers—Kevalia and Verity—were deployed alongside it while fuel transfer operations commenced using tanker Bellini under assistance from salvage vessel Multrasalvor 5 along with several tugs like Multratug 22 & VB Eagle.

An oil trail became visible along parts of river especially near Saeftinge; however authorities noted it appeared more like biodiesel which wasn’t thick enough necessitating cleanup measures—it would likely evaporate naturally over time instead!

Despite these events unfolding dramatically there remained no disruption reported concerning other shipping activities including ongoing transport related tunnel segments intended for Oosterweel project between Zeebrugge & Antwerp unaffected throughout all proceedings hereafter!

Notably delivered back in 2018—the Containerships Nord stands out as CMA CGM’s first LNG-powered feeder ship having been assigned intra-European routes following acquisition pertaining germany-based brand known simply as “Containerships.”

Investigations continue diligently aiming towards uncovering complete details surrounding cause behind such unfortunate collision!

Reference: knrm