An X-Press Feeders vessel sustained some damage after coming into contact with an Ocean Network Express (ONE)-operated container ship during foggy conditions in Kiel Canal in Germany.
A spokesperson for Eastaway Ship Management, part of the X-Press Feeders group, confirmed the accident occurrence in a statement to Container News. He said: “Eastaway Ship Management confirms that their managed containership, X-Press Mulhacen, whilst under pilotage, made contact with the containership Essence whilst transiting the Kiel Canal, Germany in foggy conditions at approximately 0600 UTC on February 6, 2025.
“The master immediately informed the local port authority. No crew members were injured, and there were no reports of pollution. The vessel proceeded to the Holtenau Roads Anchorage for inspection and to assist with investigations. There was minor damage above the waterline and the X-Press Mulhacen continued its passage shortly after.”
S&P Global’s vessel-tracking data shows that the 767 TEU X-Press Mulhacen was sailing from Rotterdam to Poland’s Gydnia port when the accident happened. The 2008-built ship then resumed its journey to Gydnia, arriving on 7 February. X-Press Mulhacen is now understood to be on its way back to Rotterdam after calling at Hamburg.
EconDB data shows that X-Press Mulhacen is deployed to an intra-Europe service between Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.
The 2011-built 1,436 TEU Essence, owned by Dutch owner JR Shipping, is chartered by ONE for its Baltic Bridge Express intra-Europe service. At the time of the accident, Essence was sailing from Kotka, Finland, to Brunsbuttel, Germany. It is understood that the ship was not detained and continued with its passage.
Alison Koo
Asian Correspondent
