A WAN Hai containership collided with a bulk carrier near Guangzhou on October 25, causing the bulker to sink, with two crew missing, according to Chinese maritime authorities.

The collision occurred in the Lingding Channel of the Pearl River Estuary at about 1955 hrs local time involving the 13,100 teu containership Wan Hai A17 (IMO: 9968528), inbound to Nansha port, and the 13,582 dwt bulk carrier Hai Li 5, operated by Nanjing Haili Shipping and en route from Guangzhou to Shanghai.

Guangzhou Maritime Safety Administration said in a statement that all 15 crew members on board Hai Li 5 entered the water after the collision. As of October 26, 13 had been rescued and two were still missing. A large-scale search effort remains underway.

According to a statement by Wan Hai Lines on the morning of October 26, the Wan Hai A17 sustained damage to its bow when Hai Li 5 reportedly lost power and went out of control. Crew aboard the containership immediately deployed life rings and emergency signal devices and launched lifeboats to assist in the rescue.

Wan Hai told Lloyd’s List that the vessel had berthed at Nansha port with no crew injuries reported and would undergo inspection after discharging containers, adding that the incident had no significant impact on its operations or financial performance.

Data from Vessel Value Visualization, a Cosco-run vessel tracking database, showed that Hai Li 5 is a Chinese coastal-trade bulk carrier built in 2008.

By comparison, Wan Hai A17 is around 18 times larger than the bulker. It is one of 13 containerships ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries in 2021, which was delivered in August 2024 and deployed on the Asia–US east coast service.

As of now, two emergency wreck markers have been set at the site and passing vessels are advised to keep a safe distance. Wan Hai said it had notified its insurer and was co-operating with maritime authorities in the investigation.

Nanjing Haili Shipping has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.