France-based large container line CMA CGM said on Thursday (Jul 11) that its ship “Benjamin Franklin” had lost 44 containers in difficult weather conditions off the South African coasts on Tuesday.
The Malta-flagged container vessel encountered severe weather off the coast of South Africa, resulting in the loss of 44 containers and damage to 30 more boxes.
The incident occurred on July 9, while the container ship was traveling westbound from Asia to Europe when it encountered “unexpectedly strong adverse weather conditions”, the company said.
CMA CGM said it has already notified the relevant authorities and will proceed to Cape Town for making a throughout assessment of the situation and taking all relevant and necessary measures to ensure a safe prosecution of the sea voyage.
It will also contact customers impacted by the incident individually to share all available information and grant best assistance in the next steps.
“No injury to the crew has been reported, no pollution, no strong damage to the vessel which remains fully seaworthy,” said CMA CGM in a statement.
The French carrier added that after inspection, “it is assessed that all containers lost at sea contained harmless goods and do not contain any dangerous cargo.”
As it is reported by shipping claims specialist WK Webster: “The vessel is reported not to have sustained any significant damage as a result of the incident and is proceeding towards Cape Town to allow the damaged containers to be discharged or restowed to the vessel to enable the voyage to be safely resumed.”
