Probe ordered after two ships collide near Karachi port

KARACHI: Two ships collided off Karachi Port on Thursday due to the alleged negligence of their captains, officials said on Friday.

They said that the federal government had ordered a probe into the collision between MV Niwa and MV Papu.

No casualties or injuries were reported in the accident, and port operations remained unaffected, they added.

Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said in a statement that the accident occurred on the night of May 28 outside the operational limits of Karachi Port due to negligence on part of the masters of both vessels.

“The causes of the maritime accident are being investigated,” he stated.

Praising port personnel for their timely response, Mr Chaudhry said that the affected cable-laying vessel had been safely brought into the port with the assistance of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) tugboats.

KPT Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed said that maritime activities at the port were continuing as normal and that the affected vessel had been provided with all necessary technical and operational support.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2026