Aquacharm vessel collides with Dung Quat port pier

The Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship Aquacharm collided with a pier under construction at the Hoa Phat Dung Quat Iron and Steel Production Complex in Quang Ngai province. The incident occurred around 18:00 on October 18, 2026, as the vessel was maneuvering toward berth number 10.

The 292-meter vessel, carrying approximately 170,600 tons of iron ore from Hedland, Australia, sustained a 5-meter tear in its bow and damage to both sides. The collision also affected the structure of the pier, specifically the connection between piers 10 and 11. Preliminary assessments indicate that 12 port components have been affected. No casualties or oil spills have been reported.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the maritime accident. The Quang Ngai Maritime Administration has formed an investigation team to assess technical factors and determine liability. Meanwhile, the pilotage service provider has suspended the personnel involved in guiding the vessel pending the verification process.