DURING storm that closed Sydney harbours, Hapag-Lloyd's 3,962-TEU Kiel Express slipped her moorings in 126 kph winds and rammed the 3,647-TEU Safmarine Makutu.
The Kiel Express also cut the moorings of the 13,000-TEU OOCL Hong Kong, setting her adrift, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
The stern of the Kiel Express then collided with a stationary Makutu then swung about to collide and come to rest broadside.
"I've been in the maritime industry for close to 30 years and I've never seen anything like this," Jason Sellars, a chief engineer on one of six tug boats called out for the nine-hour operation.
It's understood that the OOCL Hong Kong is undergoing repairs after its stern was punctured by the bollards on the dock as the ship swung out after its mooring was cut.
The state port authority said ships had been warned to put out additional moorings to secure their vessels ahead of the storm.
DP World, which operated the dock where the vessels were, said it would undertake a full investigation.
"Right now we are concentrating on returning to full operation. Precise details we don't want to get into because the investigations are in the hands of the insurers," said a DP World spokeswoman.
ACCIDENTS
16 October 2014 - 21:53
Hapag 3,969-TEUer cuts loose in Sydney storm, rams Safmarine 3,647-TEUer
DURING storm that closed Sydney harbours, Hapag-Lloyd's 3,962-TEU Kiel Express slipped her moorings in 126 kph winds and rammed the 3,647-TEU Safmarine Makutu.
ACCIDENTS
16 October 2014 - 21:53
Hapag 3,969-TEUer cuts loose in Sydney storm, rams Safmarine 3,647-TEUer
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