Three Vessels Collide in Norway's Valderhaugfjord, No Casualties

Three ships collided overnight in the Valderhaugfjord near Ålesund on the Norwegian coast, including the Dutch freighter Bergfjord, operated by Royal Wagenborg. Norwegian media reported no casualties, though all three vessels sustained material damage. The other ships involved were a Norwegian cargo vessel and an oil tanker from the Faroe Islands. A spokesman for the Norwegian maritime authorities confirmed that a distress signal was received at 01.37 hours. Two of the vessels were heading north while the third was sailing south at the time of the incident, according to the head of the rescue services, who noted that darkness and poor visibility hampered conditions in the fjord. A spokeswoman for Royal Wagenborg told Dutch broadcaster NOS that the Bergfjord was involved in the collision, adding that there is no leakage and the cargo remains intact, though the full extent of damage to the vessel still needs to be assessed. The Bergfjord has since returned alongside in the port of Ålesund. One of the other vessels took on water but reached harbour under its own power, while the third remained at anchor awaiting instructions from authorities. The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Norwegian police confirmed the other two vessels are registered in Norway and the Faroe Islands, and maritime authorities said alcohol tests on all crews came back negative. A formal inquiry is expected to examine navigational conditions, bridge-to-bridge communication, radar coverage and traffic management in the fjord. The incident, involving a tanker in protected Norwegian waters, is being closely watched by insurers and cargo owners given the hull damage sustained by the Bergfjord.