On September 16th, a significant marine incident took place at YANTIAN Port in China, where a large ship-to-shore crane collapsed and fell onto the Liberian-flagged containership MSC RIONA. The crane, which was in use at berth-2 of the port, crashed onto the vessel while it was moored at the dock. The collapse caused considerable disruption, leading to the suspension of operations at berth-2, one of the port’s primary operational areas.
Fortunately, despite the severity of the incident, no injuries or casualties were reported, according to local authorities. However, the impact of the crane on the containership caused several containers from MSC RIONA to fall into the water, further complicating the situation. The local response team quickly moved in to assess the damage, secure the site, and prevent any further risk of injury or environmental hazards from the containers that fell into the sea.
Source: X, @theseainarabic
The MSC RIONA, which is part of an intra-Asia shipping service, had just departed from CHIWAN, China, on September 15th before arriving at YANTIAN Port. The vessel was in the midst of its cargo operations when the accident occurred. Investigations into the cause of the crane collapse are ongoing, and port authorities are working to determine the full extent of the damage to both the crane and the vessel.
This incident underscores the risks involved in port operations, especially given the size and complexity of modern cranes used in shipping logistics. The collapse of the crane also raises concerns about the potential disruption to YANTIAN Port’s services, one of China’s key shipping hubs, which could affect cargo schedules and shipping routes in the region. Additionally, the cleanup and recovery efforts for the containers that fell into the water will require careful coordination to prevent further environmental damage.
The authorities are expected to release more information following the investigation, and steps will likely be taken to ensure the safety of workers and equipment in the future. Meanwhile, the MSC RIONA is undergoing an assessment to determine the extent of any damage sustained during the incident, and whether it will be able to resume its service route soon.
This event has brought attention to the importance of stringent safety protocols in port operations, and it highlights the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance of critical infrastructure like cranes to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.
