Mississippi River Collision: Tanker Strikes Moored Cruise Ship in New Orleans
The American Heritage capsized after a collision with the Atlantic Asphalt, forcing the evacuation of 129 passengers and crew members.
By Aiko Petrov ·
New Orleans authorities launched a large-scale emergency response on Friday after a tanker collided with a cruise ship on the Mississippi River.
The Port of New Orleans reported that the incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. when the Atlantic Asphalt, a 160-meter vessel carrying asphalt and bitumen under the Marshall Islands flag, struck the American Heritage. The American Heritage is a passenger vessel operated by American Cruise Lines that was moored at the time of the impact. The collision caused the cruise ship to capsize.
The American Heritage had been docked for approximately two hours before the crash as it began the process of disembarking visitors. At the moment of the collision, 129 passengers and crew members were on board. Emergency services, including the New Orleans Port Police, local fire and police departments, and the U.S. Coast Guard, are currently on the scene managing rescue operations. Medical personnel are assisting with the response efforts.
Passengers are being moved to the New Orleans Port administrative building for medical evaluation and support. The Port of New Orleans stated in a release that the immediate priority is the safety of all individuals involved, including passengers, crew, and emergency responders. The agency described the incident as active and ongoing, noting that the number of injuries and the cause of the collision have not yet been confirmed.
American Cruise Lines verified the event and said the company is coordinating closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. The operator confirmed that passengers and crew have been evacuated and expressed concern for everyone involved in the incident. The company noted that the vessel was moored when the collision occurred.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said in a post on X that he is monitoring the situation and speaking with local officials and law enforcement. He indicated that he is traveling to New Orleans to address the event directly.
The Atlantic Asphalt continues to navigate under the Marshall Islands flag, and the American Heritage remains the subject of the active investigation into the cause of the capsize.
