Two container ships collided on Monday morning in Egypt's Suez Canal, reported Al-Ahram's Arabic news website.

The German Colombo Express was coming in from the Mediterranean Sea when it hit the Singaporean ship Maersk Tanjong half a kilometre from the Port Said port, Al-Ahram said.

Both ships sustained minimal damage; four containers fell into the canal, which the Canal Authority retrieved. Navigation along the canal was temporarily interrupted for three hours.

The SCA sent vessels to lead both ships to the Al-Balah bypass so they could continue their journeys.