Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Cargo Ship Collides With Chinese Fishing Boat in Singapore Strait
A very large cargo ship hit a much smaller fishing boat in the Singapore Strait.
The two vessels were traveling in the same direction.
The cargo ship was moving faster and was passing the fishing boat when they collided.
Video showed the smaller boat being pushed sideways as water came onto its deck.
The fishing boat stayed afloat and later reached a port.
The cargo ship was not damaged, according to Panama's Maritime Authority.
Initial reports said everyone was safe, although BBC Verify said it could not determine from the footage whether anyone was injured.
Officials have not established who was responsible or exactly why the crash happened.
The 229-metre Panama-flagged cargo ship First Margaux struck the 49-metre Chinese fishing boat Luqing Yuanyu 108 on September 17.
Both vessels were traveling west in the same lane toward the Strait of Malacca, with the cargo ship moving two to three knots faster.
Video showed water rushing over the fishing boat as its crew held onto rails; initial reports said nobody was hurt.
The fishing boat was damaged but remained afloat and reached port, while the cargo ship was reportedly undamaged.
The cause of the collision and responsibility for it remain unclear, with heavy traffic cited as a factor.
- Who
- The cargo ship First Margaux and the Chinese fishing boat Luqing Yuanyu 108, along with their crews.
- What
- A large cargo ship collided with a smaller fishing boat.
- When
- Around 8 a.m. on September 17, according to ship-tracking data and BBC Verify.
- Where
- The Singapore Strait, near Singapore.
- Why
- The cause has not been established; both ships were in a busy lane, and the cargo ship was traveling faster while passing the fishing boat.
- Cargo ship
- First Margaux, a Panama-flagged vessel about 229 metres long and weighing approximately 82,300 tonnes.
- Fishing boat
- Luqing Yuanyu 108, a Chinese fishing vessel about 49 metres long.
- Collision time
- Approximately 8 a.m. on September 17.
- Vessel direction
- Both ships were heading west toward the Strait of Malacca.
- Damage
- The fishing boat was damaged but stayed afloat; the cargo ship was reportedly undamaged.
- Crew status
- The maritime authority said both crews were safe and in good health, while BBC Verify said the footage alone did not establish whether anyone was injured.
- After the collision
- The cargo ship continued for about two hours before stopping, turning around and anchoring; the fishing boat reached a nearby berth.