遭遇恶劣天气,CMACGMBELEM轮99个集装箱坠海
2024-08-20 08:40阅读：
据南非海事局（SAMSA）官方消息，8月16日达飞轮船旗下一艘13,000TEU的集装箱船”CMA CGM
BELEM”轮在南非好望角航行时，因恶劣天气原因造成集装箱堆垛倒塌，导致99个集装箱入海。
Containership loses nearly 100 boxes in bad weather off
South Africa
The Malta-flagged containership CMA CGM Belem (CMA CGM BELEM, IMO
No. 9938286, 13000 teus, 336m×51m, draft 14.8m, deadweight 145,650
mt) at shelter in Algoa Bay, near Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province,
South Africa, August 18, 2024. The ship lost numerous cont
ainers at sea in the Indian Ocean three days prior. South African
Maritime Safety Authority
Adverse weather conditions impacting South Africa in the last week
have led to yet another large container vessel losing as many 99
boxes off the east coast of South Africa, the South African
Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has confirmed.
In response, a navigational warning to sailing vessels has been
issued and a public call made to report any sighting of the cargo
containers possibly still floating at sea.
In a statement over the weekend, SAMSA confirmed that CMA CGM
Belem, a containership sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered
severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay (28°49S 032°07E) on
the evening (local time) of Thursday, August 15, resulting in a
significant stow collapse and a loss of 99 containers.
The vessel had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay (25°59′S
032°42′E). However, after further assessment, the decision was made
to redirect the ship to Qheberha (35°55′S 025°57′E).
CMA CGM Belem then headed towards the Port of Ngqura, arriving
there on Sunday, August 18.
SAMSA said it is the second vessel of its kind and from the same
France-based company – CMA CGM – to be battered by adverse weather
conditions while sailing around South Africa’s Indian Ocean area,
and resulting in substantial loss of containers overboard at
sea.
In July, the ultra large container vessel CMA CGM Benjamin
Franklin, also Maltese-flagged, reportedly lost up to 40 containers
in about the same region of the South African Indian Ocean area,
while also sailing past the country from Asia to Europe.
Due to its size, the ship also had to take cover at the deep water
port of Ngqura in Algoa Bay near Gqeberha, Eastern Capem both for
shelter as well as an adjustment of its cargo load for the rest of
the journey to Europe. A few days later, having been cleared by
SAMSA to sail, it departed South Africa, while a search for its
lost containers remained active.
Speaking to local media on Saturday, SAMSA said CMA CGM Belem was
also a sizeable vessel best likely to be temporarily, safely
berthed at the Eastern Cape’s newest deep water port in Algoa
Bay.
SAMSA said that, given the ship's draught, the Port of Ngqura has
been identified as the only suitable port of refuge. Stowage
collapses have also been confirmed, and the affected containers
will need to be discharged at a container port facility upon
arrival.
SAMSA also said that the owners of the vessel were “cooperating
with the authorities and that a navigational warning has been
promulgated for the safety of navigation of other vessels in the
vicinity.”
SAMSA has requested the public and vessels traversing the ocean
area to report any sightings of the lost containers to the relevant
authorities by contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre
(MRCC) on telephone number 021 938 3300 with the position, number,
and colour of the containers observed.
