An Oil Tanker Sinks A Cruise Ship On The Mississippi River

An oil tanker collided with a cruise ship docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday. Passengers and crew were evacuated immediately.

A serious maritime accident occurred Friday shortly after 12:30 p.m. local time near the port of New Orleans. The oil tanker Atlantic Asphalt collided with the American Heritage, a paddlewheel river cruise ship operated by American Cruise Lines. Contrary to initial reports suggesting a container ship, several American media outlets are now identifying the vessel involved as a 160-meter-long oil tanker specializing in the transport of asphalt and bitumen.

Watch the moment a tanker struck a cruise ship in New Orleans. Rescues are underway. 📷: Kern Studios https://t.co/ZPspGtM0Yr https://t.co/O1qGr8kImf

— wdsu (@wdsu) November 13, 2026

The American Heritage, which had just docked and was preparing to disembark its passengers, was driven against the pier, capsized, and became partially submerged. Images show passengers wearing life jackets in the water and others clinging to the ship’s railings. The American Heritage, built in 2015, can accommodate up to 150 passengers.

Navigation suspended

According to initial reports, 129 passengers were on board, not including the crew. American Cruise Lines confirmed that passengers and crew members had been evacuated and were being transported to the port’s administrative building for medical attention. More than a dozen people were pulled from the water by neighboring vessels.

🇺🇸 The tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the docked river cruise ship American Heritage in New Orleans, leaving it partially submerged or capsized; officials say multiple people were rescued and search and rescue continues. The collision happened around 12:30 p.m. local time on the Mississippi River as the ship, which carried about 129 passengers plus crew, had docked two hours earlier to begin disembarkation. Mayor Helena Moreno’s office said multiple people were rescued, passengers were taken to the Port of New Orleans administration building for triage, and the Coast Guard closed the river between mile markers 93 and 96. The number of injured and the cause have not been confirmed, and it was not immediately clear whether everyone was accounted for; one report said 12 passengers ended up in the water, which officials have not confirmed. Reports differ on whether the vessel capsized or is partially submerged, and no official figures on casualties, passengers’ ages or how quickly it sank have been released. The tanker is registered in the Marshall Islands and owned by Chinese and Liberian companies, according to public records. Sources: Port of New Orleans, NBC News, FOX 8, U.S. Coast Guard

— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) November 13, 2026

“Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members, and first responders,” the Port of New Orleans stated. The number of injuries and the precise circumstances of the collision are still being determined. Navigation was suspended for approximately five kilometers along the Mississippi River while the Coast Guard, Port Authority, firefighters, and emergency services responded.

AFP