USS Truman Collision Sparks Safety Concerns in Suez

The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier collided with merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, on February 12, 2025, at 11:46 PM local time. You’ll find damage to both ships above the waterline, with the Truman suffering tears near its stern and the Besiktas-M showing bow damage. While no injuries were reported and propulsion systems remain functional, this marks the Navy’s first major commercial vessel collision in over 20 years. The full investigation will reveal vital details about this significant maritime incident.

As the USS Harry S. Truman prepared to transit the Suez Canal, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, on February 12, 2025, at 11:46 PM local time. The incident has raised concerns about naval safety and maritime traffic management in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. A mooring line spool was completely sheared off during the impact, highlighting the force of the collision. The Mediterranean Sea, particularly near the Suez Canal entrance, experiences heavy vessel congestion, making precise navigation essential for all ships in the area.

Major naval collision near Suez Canal raises fresh concerns about maritime safety in one of world’s most congested shipping lanes.

The Navy released photographs showing damage to the Truman’s starboard quarter side, with multiple large tears visible on the sponson near the stern. While the damage occurred above the waterline and the carrier’s propulsion systems remain unaffected, the full extent of the impact is still under investigation. The aircraft elevator, despite being close to the damaged area, maintains its functionality. The Besiktas-M sustained damage to its starboard bow, though detailed assessment continues for both vessels. The 53,000-ton bulk carrier Besiktas-M was bound for Constanta, Romania, when the incident occurred.

You’ll find the Truman currently positioned in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, accompanied by its escort, the USS Jason Dunham, which wasn’t involved in the collision. Naval leadership emphasizes maintaining a fact-based approach to the investigation rather than speculating about causes. Over 140 news sources have reported on the incident, providing extensive media coverage across the political spectrum. The carrier’s ability to continue its mission, including operations against Houthi militants and ISIS, remains uncertain pending a complete damage assessment. The Navy hasn’t released information about repair costs or expected timeline for returning to full operational status.

The incident has prompted questions about the use of Automatic Identification System (AIS) by naval vessels in congested waterways. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first incident involving the Besiktas-M, which was previously involved in a collision in Bangladesh waters in 2016. The last time a U.S. carrier collided with a merchant vessel was in 2004, when the USS John F. Kennedy experienced a similar incident.

The U.S. Navy’s investigation will likely examine multiple factors, including navigation protocols, communication between vessels, and traffic management procedures in the busy waterway. While no flooding or injuries were reported aboard the Truman, the incident highlights the challenges of operating large military vessels in heavily trafficked commercial shipping lanes.

The collision’s timing is particularly significant as it occurred while the carrier was preparing for an essential transit through the Suez Canal. The Navy’s immediate response focused on damage assessment and maintaining operational readiness of the unaffected systems.

While the damage appears contained to a specific section of the vessel, you’ll need to wait for the official investigation’s findings to understand the full impact on the Navy’s operations in the region and any potential changes to maritime procedures near the Suez Canal entrance.