"K" Line tanker collides with US submarine

Tokyo: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line) tanker Mogamigawa (pictured) was involved in a collision with an American submarine - USS Newport News at 10.15pm local time (7.15 GMT). The 2001 built 300,000 dwt vessel was transporting crude oil through in the Strait of Hormuz from Saudi Arabian to Singapore for Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K at the time of the accident.

A spokesperson for "K" Line said that there were no casualties or oil leaks. He added, "The vessel has suffered some damage to its ballast tank. It arrived at the port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates at 13.10 local time. It is currently awaiting a divers inspection. It will also undergo an inspection by the insurance surveyor. We  have not yet identified a cause for the accident."  [09/01/07]