Operations have begun to locate 44 containers lost at sea from CMA CGM’s boxship hit by severe weather near South Africa after the vessel continued on its way towards Europe.
After losing the containers in what was described as a ‘harrowing bad weather experience on the Indian Ocean along South Africa’ by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the boxship anchored in Algoa Bay on Friday last week.
The 2005-built, 17,859 teu CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin had reported a collapsed container stack and the loss of 44 containers at sea while another 30 were damaged on the vessel. During the stay in Algoa Bay, CMA CGM’s vessel underwent a comprehensive damage assessment as well as securing the remaining cargo on board.
The vessel was then cleared to sail after SAMSA assessed a cargo securing plan regarding the damaged cargo stacks. After the cargo stacks were secured, good weather was used to pass around the Cape of Good Hope.
“To ensure that any settling of cargo during the sea passage is dealt with, the owner has opted to keep a cargo securing specialist and a team of rope access technicians on board for the voyage northward. By noon on Wednesday, July 17, the vessel was reported making good speed towards Cape Agulhas and on Thursday morning she was passing St Helena Bay,” SAMSA said.
Since the vessel is safely away, the Authority is now focusing on recovering the containers that are on the seabed.
“It is highly probable that these containers are located on the seabed outside of South African waters in depths of more than 500 meters. SAMSA and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment will be working closely with the owner and their insurers to chart a way forward regarding the containers on the seabed,” SAMSA added.
A navigation warning to all vessels operating in the area is still in effect, advising them to navigate with caution. Vessels and the public are urged to report any sightings of the lost containers to the relevant authorities by contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre.
