Everything we know about Atlantic Asphalt: The tanker that smashed into American Heritage cruise ship with 129 on board

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American Cruise Lines' paddle-wheel pleasure boat, American Heritage, was docked in New Orleans when the 520-foot-long Atlantic Asphalt struck it.

Published: 01:53 GMT, 14 November 2026 | Updated: 04:15 GMT, 14 November 2026

A cruise ship with 129 people on board started sinking into the Mississippi River on Friday after being struck by a tanker.

American Cruise Lines’ paddle-wheel pleasure boat, American Heritage, was docked in New Orleans when the 520-foot-long Atlantic Asphalt struck it.

Disturbing images showed passengers aboard the cruise line holding on to railings as the ship started to capsize.

The 17,764-dwt vessel that hit the ship typically carries asphalt and was ballasting to Louisiana on Friday, Argus Media reported.

At the time of the collision, the specialized bitumen tanker designed to transport liquid bitumen and other heavy petroleum products at high temperatures, was empty.

Built in 2017, the ship carried the national flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, according to Vessel Finder.

The tanker had departed from the Gulf of Mexico on November 10 and was en route to US M8Y, which designates Mount Airy, Louisiana, according to Marine Traffic.

The vessel was navigating toward the Mount Airy terminal area along the Lower Mississippi River, the website noted.

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