Nikolaj Skydsgaard and Anna Ringstrom

STOCKHOLM/COPENHAGEN – Two cargo ships crashed into each other Monday morning in fogy Baltic Sea conditions. They were located between Bornholm (Denmark) and Ystad (Sweden). Authorities announced that two persons are missing.

According to the Swedish Maritime Administration, Karin Hoej (55 m) was registered in Denmark. It had capsized and was now upside down. The Danish Defence’s Joint Operations Centre JOC stated that there were two persons onboard and that they are now missing.

Scot Carrier (90-metre) was British-registered. The ship’s other crew members were also safe.

Nearby, the rescue effort was still ongoing five hours after the accident. According to the SMA, Swedish divers stood ready on the ground to examine the hull.

According to the Danish Meteorological Institute, the water temperature in this area is between 4-6 Celsius.

Soren Hoj is the managing director of Rederiet Hoj which operates the Karin Hoej. He stated that while he could confirm the accident, he did not know the details.

He said that the vessel was unloaded and was being sailed from Sodertalje, Sweden, to Nykobing Falster, southern Denmark, with two persons aboard.

FOG IN THIS AREA

Refinitiv Eikon data shows that the U.K. ship MV Scot Carrier was traveling from Hargshamn, north of Stockholm, to Montrose, Scotland’s eastern coast. Scotline, the owner of the vessel, said that it couldn’t comment on specific details but would assist and comply with any local authorities.

The spokesperson of the Danish Meteorological Institute stated that there was fog at the site when the accident occurred, approximately 3.30 am (0230 GMT).

The rescue was being assisted by the Danish authorities. Nine vessels were involved and one helicopter from Denmark. The rescue was also assisted by civil vessels.

It happened in Swedish territorial water and both ships were traveling in the same direction at the time of contact.

Denmark’s JOC could not say immediately whether ships had any hazardous cargo.

The Danish ship that is upside-down is small and has very little oil. It said that this isn’t what concerns us right now.

SMA stated that the Danish vessel had been empty of cargo, and it wasn’t clear what cargo the British ship might have.