USS Harry S. Truman Collides With Merchant Ship

USS Harry S. Truman Collides With Merchant Ship: What We Know About the Mediterranean Incident

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman collided with the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, at 23:46 local time on February 12, 2025. No injuries or flooding were reported, but the incident raises questions about naval operations in congested waterways.

The 100,000-ton Nimitz-class carrier sustained minor damage above the waterline but remains operational. The Besiktas-M, managed by Synergy Ship Management Turkey, had previously been involved in a 2016 collision in the Bay of Bengal. Naval analysts highlight this as the first major carrier collision since 2004.

Key operational details:

• USS Truman specs: 333m length, 5,000 crew, 2 nuclear reactors
• Besiktas-M: 53,000 tons, 200m length, Panama-flagged
• Location: 12nm north of Suez Canal entrance

The Truman had recently completed strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen and ISIS in Somalia before transiting to the Mediterranean :cite[9]. Its current positioning near Suez suggests potential redeployment to the Red Sea—a strategic chokepoint for 12% of global trade.

This incident recalls the 2017 Fitzgerald and McCain collisions that killed 17 sailors. Investigations then revealed systemic issues in crew training and fatigue management. While no lives were lost here, it renews debates about:

⚠️ Critical context: The Truman’s propulsion systems remained operational post-collision—a testament to nuclear carriers’ resilience.