YANTIAN : Container vessel Maersk Cincinnati, operated by Maersk, was involved in a collision with a quay crane while berthing at Berth 12 of Yantian Port in Shenzhen, China, on November 9, resulting in the collapse of one quay crane and disruptions to terminal operations.
The incident occurred at approximately 12 noon when the Singapore-flagged vessel reportedly struck a quay crane during berthing. Following the collision, the crane collapsed and fell towards the adjoining container yard, raising concerns over operational safety and the impact on terminal activities.
Built in 2024, Maersk Cincinnati is a 15,516-TEU container vessel with a length overall (LOA) of 366 metres and a beam of 51 metres. The vessel, bearing IMO number 9936410, was operating on the Gemini Cooperation’s NE3 Asia–Europe service under Voyage 645W.
Strong Winds Suspected as Possible Cause
Initial reports suggest that sudden strong wind gusts may have contributed to the incident. However, the precise circumstances surrounding the collision have not yet been established, and the official investigation is awaited.
No casualties or cargo damage have been officially reported so far.
Berth 12 Operations Suspended
Following the incident, operations at Berth 12, which handles ultra-large container vessels, have been suspended. The disruption is expected to affect subsequent vessel calls on the NE3 service, potentially resulting in schedule delays for Asia–Europe cargo movements.
The incident has also affected several terminal activities, including container pick-up, empty container returns and yard-stacking operations. The timeline for restoring the damaged berth and resuming normal operations remains unconfirmed.
Alternative Routing Options Considered
With operations at the affected berth disrupted, shipping and logistics stakeholders are closely monitoring developments and assessing possible contingency arrangements to minimise supply chain disruptions.
Alternative cargo routing through nearby ports, including Shekou and Nansha, is being considered as a possible option to mitigate delays and maintain cargo movement.
Further updates are awaited regarding the investigation, crane recovery operations and the restoration of normal activities at Yantian Port.
