The car carrier Viking Sea caused between $2,000 and $3,000 worth of damage when it struck Hamilton’s cargo dock.

However, Corporation of Hamilton chief operating officer Edward Benevides said an initial assessment showed “no major structural damage”.

The car carrier hit the cargo dock when a towline broke as it attempted to leave port at 3pm on Wednesday.

Mr Benevides said: “The city engineer has reported that the initial assessment is that there is no major structural damage to the dock.

“The damage to the fenders and some portions of the dock is estimated at between $2,000 to $3,000.”

“He has said that he needs to assess at the waterline to determine whether there is anything not visible when viewing from the top of the dock face.

“He is hoping to assess that as soon as he can using a boat at the waterline.”

The Viking Sea departed Hamilton Dock at 8.30am yesterday morning bound for Cristobal in Panama.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport and Regulatory Affairs said on Wednesday that the incident was being investigated.

He did not provide an update by press time last night.