A small containership named Amnah rolled onto its side at Ambarli Port, Istanbul, during a loading operation early this morning, December 23. Authorities are currently managing cleanup efforts and investigating the cause of the incident.
Details of the Incident
The Amnah, a 5,200 dwt vessel built in 1996, was loading cargo at Istanbul’s main container terminal when it began to list towards the dock, eventually capsizing at around 0400 local time. Videos from the scene show crew members on deck as the situation unfolded.
The vessel had 15 crew members onboard at the time. Five of them reportedly jumped into the water and swam to safety, while the remaining 10 were rescued from the capsized ship. Only one crew member sustained minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Turkish authorities suggest the mishap may have been caused by improper loading that destabilized the vessel. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Vessel Background
The Amnah was previously operated by Russia’s FESCO shipping company but was sold in October 2024 to a Belize-based owner. The ship is currently managed from Turkey and registered under the flag of Comoros.
Environmental Precautions
Port officials deployed a containment boom around the vessel to mitigate the risk of pollution. Efforts are ongoing to stabilize the situation and assess the full extent of the damage.
