Maersk Essen, a 13,100TEU vessel has reportedly lost a significant number of containers, on 16 Janaury, while en route to Los Angeles from China.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]Container losses occurred while the vessel sailed through severe weather following its departure from Xiamen in China on 26 December, the vessel is reportedly continuing its voyage to Los Angeles and is due to arrive on Friday, 22 January at the port.
Reports from claims consultant WK Webster suggest that “Up to 750 containers may have been lost overboard and it is therefore also very likely that some containers will have collapsed or been damaged in the affected stacks but remain on board. These containers will need to be removed or repositioned.”
It is expected that once the vessel arrives in Los Angeles an inspection of the vessel and its cargo will take place with damaged containers either removed at the port, or more likely at another facility, given the congestion at Los Angeles.
As a result the vessel is likely to be delayed following its US port call which may adversely affect any time sensitive or refrigerated cargoes on board.
The losses on Maersk Essen follow a similar incident which saw the ONE Apus lose in excess of 1,800 containers in a Pacific storm at the end of November. ONE Apus is currently in Kobe, Japan, where damaged containers are expected to be discharged over a period of two months.
Maersk confirmed the losses to Container News in a written stement saying, “We regret to announce the 13,100TEU, Danish-flagged, Maersk Essen en route from Xiamen, China to Los Angeles, California on Maersk’s TP6 Asia/US West Coast service experienced heavy seas during her North Pacific crossing on the 16 January 2021, resulting in the loss of approximately 750 containers overboard. All crewmembers are safe and a detailed cargo assessment is ongoing while the vessel continues on her journey. The US Coast Guard, flag state and relevant authorities have been notified.
“We view this as a very serious situation which will be investigated promptly and thoroughly. Operations and vessel safety are our highest priority and we will be taking any necessary steps to minimise the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future.
“A customer communications plan and claims process was urgently put in place for those customers impacted.”[/s2If]
[s2If !is_user_logged_in()]Please login or register to read the rest of the story[/s2If]
