The Maersk Eindhoven experienced a loss of engine propulsion for three to four minutes while sailing 45 nautical miles off Northern Japan in heavy seas on February 17, 2021. The company has now revealed that the loss of manoeuvrability caused severe rolling with 260 containers lost overboard and 65 containers damaged on deck.
The company says propulsion power was quickly restored on the vessel and that the initial analysis indicates engine oil pressure triggered a safety feature, causing the engines to shut down. No malfunction or maintenance issues have been identified and the crew is reported safe.
Maersk says a complete investigation is ongoing and states the vessel has had no further incidents and is sailing in calm seas, returning to a North Asia port for inspection and repair. The port decision will be announced shortly.
Also read: Another Maersk ship loses containers in harsh weather
Slight damage to the vessel
Preliminary reports show slight damage with minimal repairs required to the vessel. Maersk adds in a statement that ‘once the vessel is in port and surveyed, we will have more specific details on the extent of damaged containers and the amount of time required to fix the vessel and determine the cargo contingency options.’
Maersk Eindhoven is a 13,100 TEU container vessel sailing under the Danish flag. The vessel had departed Xiamen, China sailing to Los Angeles on Maersk’s weekly TP6 Asia/US West coast service.
[UPDATE 25 February] The vessel is currently in Japanese waters and all approvals are in place for it transit to the APM Terminals Yokohama berth on February 25. Maersk expects the ship will stay there for two to three weeks before being able to sail on to Los Angeles.
Maersk Essen
Last month, the Maersk Essen lost 750 containers in the North Pacific. The ship had left Xiamen, China, on 26 December and was heading for Los Angeles when also encountering heavy weather.
