Six Barges Break Free, One Sinks After Vessel Crash Near New Orleans

A vessel collision on the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans late Sunday night led to the breakaway of multiple barges, one of which ultimately sank. The incident, which occurred on April 27, 2025, at approximately 9:20 p.m., prompted an immediate response from the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to officials, the accident involved the Isla de Bioko, a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel, and the Ginny Stone, a U.S.-flagged towboat. The collision took place near mile marker 110.

As a result of the impact, six barges detached from their tow and began drifting downriver. One of the barges, which was carrying urea, a nitrogen-based compound commonly used in fertilizers, sank. Nearby assist tugs were able to intercept and secure four of the drifting barges. The remaining two became entangled with the anchor lines of two motor vessels.

Due to the safety risk posed by the free-floating barges and submerged obstruction, the Coast Guard’s Captain of the Port issued a temporary closure of river traffic between mile markers 108 and 111. A survey conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers later identified the sunken barge resting about 75 feet beneath the surface.

By Monday afternoon around 3:00 p.m., after the final two barges were secured, authorities reopened the affected stretch of the river with navigation restrictions in place. Coast Guard officials noted that high water levels on the river are contributing to difficult operational conditions.

At this time, there have been no reports of injuries or environmental concerns. However, the incident remains under investigation, and the cause of the vessel collision is not yet known. Our Louisiana barge accident attorneys will be following the details of this incident as they become available.