[250221.EN.SEA] 260 Maersk Boxes Overboard When Oil Safety Valve Stops Engine

 

THE 13,100-TEU Maersk Eindhoven, off Japan en route to California, lost propulsion in foul weather causing the ship roll resulting in the loss of 260 containers overboard and 65 on weatherdeck suffered damage.

"The Maersk Eindhoven experienced a loss of engine propulsion for three to four minutes while sailing 45 nautical miles off northern Japan in heavy seas," said a spokesman. "The loss of maneuverability resulted in severe rolling with containers lost overboard."

"The initial analysis indicates engine oil pressure triggered a safety feature, causing the engines to shut down," Maersk reports. "No malfunction or maintenance issues have been identified."

There is a worrying trend of maritime accidents involving lost containers from ships since November. Containerships are also grounding and needing tug support during transits due to engine problems.

The accident happened near Japan as the 11-year-old ship made its way from Xiamen in China to Los Angeles. Propulsion has been restored and vessel has turned around and is making for port.

The Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), which is a vessel partner with Maersk, stated on its site that because of the engine stop in heavy weather, the Maersk Eindhoven had lost containers overboard - the sixth reported incident of boxes lost at sea since November 30.

Last month around 750 boxes fell off the 13,100-TEU Maersk Essen, both built at Hyundai Heavy Industries, also while sailing from Xiamen to Los Angeles. That ship diverted to Mexico and the Port of Lazaro Cardenas and is now tentatively set to weigh anchor in two days' time and sail for Los Angeles.

Containers lost overboard will be hazardous to shipping in the area and are environmental pollution. They may drift on to nearby beaches and the coastline of Hokkaido and Kuril Islands, Japan in Pacific currents.

Maersk said it will "prioritise calling customers where containers may have been lost or sustained potential damage". It confirmed Maersk Eindhoven was seeking a port of safety. "We are currently assessing the nearest suitable port options in Asia to berth the vessel," Maersk Line said in a customer advisory.

Following that cargo loss in adverse weather, Maersk Essen continued its voyage across the Pacific to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico for inspection, vessel repairs and cargo operations.

Container ships ONE Apus and ONE Aquila lost or damaged hundreds of containers due to gale-force winds and large swells caused by heavy weather in the northern Pacific.

At the end of December, Evergreen Marine's Ever Liberal lost 36 containers in storm conditions, 20 nautical miles off Japan. Another 21 containers were damaged as the stack collapsed. In 2020, APL and MSC had similar container dropping accidents.

The latest involved containership CMA CGM Titus, which ran aground in the Suez Canal on 15 February. Tugs were mobilised to refloat the 2011-built ship and enable it to resume its northern transit to Lebanon and then to Piraeus, Greece.

Source : HKSG / Photo : FleetMon.