Ship hits Klein Point pier; repairs may hit six figures

, the only ship Adelaide Brighton Cement (ABC) owns, hit the pier in fine weather.

While an investigation is still underway, it is believed the accident was caused by mechanical failure.

No one was hurt.

The purpose-built bulker, which is pilotage-exempt and undertakes a daily shuttle run between Klein Point and Adelaide's Birkenhead carrying limestone, was empty when coming into berth.

The master had dropped anchor but the ship's momentum had been too great.

The collision destroyed two dolphins and a walkway, leaving the ship with a small gash in her hull.

A company spokeswoman said that ABC had several hundred thousand tonnes of limestone and cement clinker stockpiled but it was too early to tell if contingency plans would be needed to get Klein Point product to Adelaide.

She did not believe at this stage that supplies of cement to South Australia, limestone to Victoria and clinker to Queensland would be affected by the incident.

Mr Tremaine said that detailed estimates of the damage had yet to be made.