THERE are fears that the number of containers lost overboard when the 7,200-TEU Svendborg Maersk became caught up a fierce storm in the Bay of Biscay may exceed first estimates of 200-300 boxes.
None of the crew was injured and damage to the ship was minor in what is believed to be biggest loss of containers that Maersk has ever suffered, reported Lloyd's List, adding that the ship diverted to Malaga, Spain, where company officials insurers, stowage and lashing experts investigated.
Many more containers were damaged after the stacks in at least six bays tilted over during the hurricane force winds that lashed much of Europe. The ship was reported to have been rolling at up to 40 degrees.
The 1998-built ship was heading from Rotterdam to Sri Lanka when the accident happened, and some of the lost containers were likely to have been empty on the backhaul leg.
Most containers that went overboard appears to have sunk. A tug with crane capability has been sent by the shipping company to retrieve any floating containers.
The lost containers are believed to be mainly 40-foot boxes although some would have been 20 foot, according to vice president of operations Palle Brodsgaard Laursen.
Maersk: "Significant number of containers were lost"
Maersk made a press release regarding the incident. The release is as follows:
"The container vessel Svendborg Maersk, during very rough weather in the Bay of Biscay, lost a significant number of containers over board.On Friday 14 February the container vessel Svendborg Maersk, during very rough weather in the Bay of Biscay, lost a significant number of containers over board.
Other containers onboard are damaged as a result of collapsed stacks. Weather conditions at the time of the incident were severe with wind blowing 60 knots and waves reaching 10 m. The crew is safe and accounted for. Local maritime authorities were informed about the incident and nautical warning broadcasted about floating containers.
Minor damages are reported to the vessel.
The destination port was Colombo, Sri Lanka. The vessel called the port of Malaga on 17 February for re-stowage of the collapsed stacks and repair of various equipment hit by shifted containers.
Maersk Line customers service representatives will keep customers informed of the status of their cargo as soon as it has been accurately assessed which units have been lost and which have suffered damages."
“The total number of lost containers turned out to be even worse than we feared. Svendborg Maersk experienced extreme weather conditions – and we will now carefully examine our procedures to see if they need correction in order to avoid similar incidents in the future. As of now we remain focused on supporting our vessel crew and are dedicated to getting correct information about lost or delayed cargo to our customers and ultimately get the ship back in service as soon as possible” says Palle Laursen, Vice President of Operations, Maersk Line.
Maersk Line customers service representatives will keep customers informed of the status of their cargo as soon as it has been accurately assessed which units have been lost and which have suffered damages.