MOL Motivator Collides with Cargo Vessel in Chinese Waters, 11 People Missing

The MOL-operated containership MOL MOTIVATOR collided with Zhong Xing 2 while underway in Chinese territorial waters, southeast of Hong Kong on May 5, 2014 at around 02:22 a.m. local time (18:22 May 4, UTC), TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. confirmed today.

The MOL MOTIVATOR was inflicted with minor damage, and is capable of sailing under its own power. The container vessel (6,700 TEU-type) was en route from Hong Kong to Yantian, China and was carrying  24 seafarers on board.

According to Hong Kong marine department, the other vessel, Zhong Xing 2, which was transporting cement, sank.  One crew member was rescued while the other eleven members of the crew are still missing.

A search and rescue operation for the missing crew, coordinated by the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, is underway.

The cause of this accident is under investigation by the authorities.