Washington  - A nuclear-powered submarine and an amphibious ship operated by the US Navy collided in the crowded Hormuz Strait, CNN reported Friday.

The collision slightly injured 15 sailors on board the submarine and punched a hole in the tank of the amphibian ship, New Orleans, allowing 95,000 litres of fuel to dump into the water, the report said, citing a statement from the US military.

The injured sailors were able to return to work, the statement from the US Fifth Fleet said.

The submarine, USS Hartford, was not damaged.

Both ships were able to make it to a nearby port for inspections, CNN reported.