A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier collided with a merchant vessel near Egypt late Wednesday, the U.S. military confirmed on Thursday. The nuclear-powered Harry S. Truman remains in stable condition, with no reported injuries or flooding on board.
The incident comes at a time of heightened U.S. naval activity in the region, with the Navy maintaining a strong presence in the Mediterranean and Red Sea amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. With only 11 active aircraft carriers, any damage that sidelines one of these massive warships could impact U.S. military operations globally.
According to a Navy statement, the collision occurred near Port Said, involving the Harry S. Truman and the merchant vessel Besiktas-M. The Navy emphasized that the carrier’s propulsion systems remain unaffected and that operations are continuing as normal.
While such incidents are rare, the U.S. Navy has faced scrutiny over previous collisions. In 2017, two deadly accidents in the Asia-Pacific region involving the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors. Those incidents led to a Congressional inquiry and a review of naval training and operational tempos.
The Harry S. Truman, at 1,096 feet (333 meters) long, is one of the Navy’s largest warships, carrying a crew of around 5,000 personnel. Its 4.5-acre flight deck can accommodate up to 90 aircraft, including F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets. Life aboard the carrier functions like a floating city, complete with fitness facilities, dining areas, and munitions storage for deployed aircraft.
The Navy has not yet disclosed the extent of any damage to either vessel or whether an investigation into the incident is underway.
