Screengrab from Facebook video by Chun Yi Lam.

A minor but significant maritime incident unfolded at Hong Kong’s Kwai Tsing Container Terminal on the evening of March 1, when the 364-meter-long, 138,611 dwt container ship One Columba allided with the berthed 347-meter-long, 110,387 dwt Clifford Maersk (IMO: 9198575).

The One Columba was arriving from Shenzhen Chiwan, maneuvering toward its berth when it struck the stationary Clifford Maersk. The impact resulted in three containers plunging into the water, later retrieved without further incident. According to preliminary reports, both vessels sustained only minor damage. However, specifics on the One Columba’s condition remain unclear.

POSSIBLE LOSS OF POWER BEFORE ALLISION
While an official cause has yet to be determined, initial reports suggest One Columba may have suffered a power failure before the incident. It is believed the vessel deployed an emergency maneuver by dropping its anchor to mitigate the impact. However, authorities have not disclosed whether tugboats were assisting at the time of the event.

Authorities quickly dispatched response teams to assess the situation, and an investigation is now underway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and there was no pollution or cargo spillage beyond the overboard containers.

ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND VESSEL STATUS
Following the incident, One Columba was last reported at a nearby anchorage while authorities conduct their investigation. Meanwhile, Clifford Maersk remains at the Kwai Tsing Terminal with no reported operational disruptions.

While incidents of this nature are uncommon, they serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in maneuvering ultra-large container ships in busy port environments. The industry will be watching closely as more details emerge on whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors played a role in the allision.

Source: breakbulk.news