Safety concerns emerge after container collapse at COSCO’s Piraeus Port
07.10.2024
Several containers collapsed at the COSCO-owned port of Piraeus on October 5, prompting port workers to voice their deep concerns about safety issues.
The port workers’ union stressed that if the incident had occurred moments earlier or later, lives could have been lost. Despite the dangers, COSCO continues to prioritize profits over worker safety, according to the union.
Greek Workers demand action for better safety measures, highlighting dockworkers on the United States East Coast, who successfully fought for better conditions and pay.
MSC orders ten LNG/dual fuel ULCVs from Chinese shipyard
30.09.2024
The world’s largest container shipping company MSC has signed a letter of intent (LOI) for ten LNG/dual fuel ships of 21,000 TEU capacity with Hengli Heavy Industries of China, according to a recent DynaLiners report.
The delivery of the container vessels is expected to start in 2027.
The Swiss-Italian box line appears to be continuing its aggressive newbuilding order spree, aiming to further solidify its position as the market leader in terms of TEU capacity. This strategic move comes as the company prepares for its solo journey following the formation of the new container shipping alliances set to take effect in February 2025.
It is important to note that this is the first container ship order of the Chinese shipyard, which stems from the defunct STX Dalian and mainly focusses on dry and wet bulk carriers.
Container crane crashes down on MSC feeder at Yantian port
17.09.2024
On 16 September, an MSC feeder boxship, the 1,730 TEU MSC Riona, was involved in an accident at Yantian Port in southern China, resulting in part of a ship-to-shore crane collapsing onto the vessel.
As a result, a number of boxes from the ship fell into the sea, according to local sources.
MSC Riona was built in 1998 and was deployed on an intra-Asia service.
The accident occurred around 8:40 am, causing the suspension of operations at berth two of the Shenzhen port. At the time of writing, no injuries have been reported.
Super Typhoon Yagi forces suspension of container handling operations in Hong Kong
05.09.2024
Terminals in Hong Kong and southern China have stopped handling containers for today (5 September) as Super Typhoon Yagi approaches.
Hong Kong Observatory has issued the No. 8 signal today and this is expected to be in place until 6 September. The observatory has determined Yagi to be a mature storm. Consequently, schools have been ordered to shut and outdoor activities are discouraged. Several domestic ferry services have also been suspended.
Yagi, the Japanese word for goat and Capricorn, is set to move 300km (186 miles) to the southwest of Hong Kong tonight and tomorrow morning.
The observatory said: “Gales associated with Yagi are set to edge closer to the Pearl River Estuary later today. Local winds will strengthen further and weather will deteriorate.”
Yantian International Container Terminal said in a WeChat notification that handling of empty containers stopped at 3am local time today, although loaded containers will still be accepted.
Hong Kong Container Terminals 4, 6, and 7, as well as COSCO-HIT Terminal and Asia Container Terminals, stopped all container deliveries at 12:00 noon local time today.
CMA CGM-operated ship targeted by Houthis for second time
01.09.2024
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in an incident report that on 30 August, around 17:00 UTC, two missiles exploded near the 2002-built 2,500 TEU Groton, 130 nautical miles east of Aden.
UKMTO said, “The master reports all crew members are safe and proceeding to the next port of call. Investigations are ongoing. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”
Groton, which CMA CGM has chartered from Greek owner Conbulk Management, was targeted less than a month, on 3 August. Nobody was hurt in that incident, although the ship had to be repaired.
S&P Global’s vessel-tracking data shows that Groton had been drifting around Djibouti.
Another of CMA CGM’s chartered ships, the 2,078 TEU Lobivia also experienced an onboard fire after a Houthi attack between 18 and 19 July, but no one was hurt.
As the Gaza War continues, the Houthis have been unrelenting in their attacks, even as their 21 August assault on Delta Tankers’ loaded Suezmax tanker Sounion has allegedly resulted in oil spillage.