USS Harry S. Truman Involved in Collision with Merchant Vessel Near Port Said, Egypt

The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, at around 11:46 p.m. local time on February 12, as confirmed by the US Navy. Fortunately, the collision did not pose a threat to the carrier, with no reports of flooding or injuries, and its propulsion systems remained safe and stable.

The merchant ship involved in the incident is the MV Besiktas-M, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier that had just passed through the Suez Canal. It was noted that the Truman was not broadcasting its Automatic Identification System (AIS) at the time of the collision. A photo shared online showed damage to the Besiktas-M, specifically to its starboard bow and deck.

At the time of the incident, the carrier was operating in the Mediterranean Sea after conducting combat operations in the US Central Command area, including support for self-defense strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen. The Truman had recently visited the US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece on February 6, accompanied by the USS Jason Dunham, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

Naval authorities have initiated an investigation into the collision. This incident recalls previous tragedies involving US Navy vessels, such as the USS John S. McCain and USS Fitzgerald, which were involved in separate collisions in 2017 that resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors and led to significant investigations revealing systemic issues in training and operational readiness.