Boxes fall off ONE container ship as heavy winds collapse stacks
SINGAPORE : A Japanese-controlled boxship has suffered what was described as a major cargo loss in the Atlantic. About 45 containers were reported to have fallen off the Ocean Network Express-operated 8,110-teu ONE Continuity (built 2008) south of the Canary Islands.
MarineTraffic said the ship had encountered severe weather off Maspalomas last week.
Several more boxes were crushed as stacks collapsed.
The ONE Continuity had left Le Havre on 4 December, bound for Singapore.
Instead, the ship arrived in Las Palmas on Friday.
Video footage released by port police showed a crane lifting containers from the ship, which could be seen with a stack of collapsed boxes towards the stern.
The incident occurred while the vessel was carrying empty containers.
The master had observed multiple container stacks leaning dangerously to starboard and declared an emergency, MarineTraffic said.
An initial assessment showed 10 rows of containers at the stern had collapsed due to powerful waves.
At the shipowner’s request, authorities conducted an aerial drone inspection to assess the damage.
On Saturday, a complex cargo recovery operation began.
A team of eight specialised personnel was deployed to stabilise and safely unload the affected containers, the report said.
After the operation is complete, repairs will be undertaken to the damaged mooring equipment on the ship.
ONE told TradeWinds the vessel lost boxes due to rough sea conditions while transiting the Bay of Biscay on 6 December.
“ONE is working closely with the vessel owner and relevant parties to manage recovery efforts and ensure the vessel’s safety before proceeding with her voyage,” a spokesperson added.
The Singapore-flagged ship is owned and technically managed by Canadian tonnage provider Seaspan Corp.
The ONE Continuity, which is 320 metres long, has insurance through the NorthStandard protection and indemnity club in the UK.
Source : TradeWinds