According to foreign media reports, the Port of Long Beach stated that on September 9 local time, a total of 75 containers fell from the container ship “MSC Mississippi” into the sea, revised from a previous report of 67. This occurred after multiple container collapses happened while the ship was at the Pier G anchorage in the California port.
The incident occurred around 9:00 AM local time on September 9, when the Zim-chartered “MSC Mississippi” had just docked at the Port of Long Beach, following its voyage across the Pacific from Yantian, China. The ship was connected to a clean air barge, which was struck by multiple falling containers.
Initial reports indicated no casualties, but an update from the port on social media on Wednesday stated that “one person sustained minor injuries.”
Of the 75 containers that fell from the ship, 25 to 30 sank within the Port of Long Beach.
A unified command consisting of the U.S. Coast Guard, Long Beach Fire Department, Long Beach Police Department, Port of Long Beach, Army Corps of Engineers, and other commercial representatives is working to ensure the removal of the sunken containers.
“A sonar survey is underway to locate approximately 25 to 30 containers that sank within the harbor to ensure safe navigation for vessel traffic,” said a Port of Long Beach official. “A specific salvage plan is being developed and will be implemented as soon as possible.”
To ensure the safe navigation of nearby vessels, a breakwater has been deployed within a 500-meter safety zone around the incident vessel. “While this incident occurred at a berth within the port,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, “we will proceed with caution as we conduct container recovery and restore full functionality to Pier G.”
It is currently unclear what caused the containers to fall from the “MSC Mississippi,” which involved at least two separate stack collapses—one at the stern and one at the bow—under seemingly good weather conditions.
The Port of Long Beach stated that the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the specific cause of the incident.
Meanwhile, dockworkers continue to unload another vessel at Pier G, and other operations at the Port of Long Beach remain unaffected.
Compiled by Shipping Online.
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