ONE and Maersk container ships collide in Hong Kong port

HONG KONG : Two container ships collided in Kwai Tsing Container Terminal with at least three boxes lost overboard.

According to the local reports the Hong Kong Marine Department said a container ship heading to berth at the terminal was involved in a minor collision with another vessel already at berth in Kwai Tsung Container Terminal.

The incident occurred when ONE Columba struck the berthed Maersk Clifford at Kwai Tsin Terminal on Friday, according to reports.

The 14,000 TEU vessel ONE Columba, built in 2018 and operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE), was maneuvering to berth after sailing from Shenzhen, China, when it made contact with the anchored Clifford Maersk, a 7,060 TEU vessel built in 1999 and operated by Maersk Line.

Videos of the incident circulating on social media show a few containers from Maersk Clifford falling into the sea.

Three containers fell into the sea, but authorities reported no crew injuries or oil spills resulting from the incident, South China Morning Post reported.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident. Meanwhile, operations in the port remain unaffected.

“With rising port congestion, such incidents highlight the need for improved berthing coordination and tug assistance strategies,” marine intelligence firm Maritime Analytica said in a LinkedIn post. 

Video posted on Facebook, and that can be viewed above show a distinctive magenta coloured hull of an Ocean Network Express (ONE) in collision with a blue-hulled Maersk vessel at dock. In the video the ONE vessel reverses back from the impact and at least three containers can be seen falling into the port waters.

The ONE vessel was reported to have arrived in Hong Kong from Chiwan in Shenzhen, China.

The incident is under investigation by the Hong Kong Marine Department and no pollution or injuries were reported.