UPDATE: Some 270 containers were lost, mainly with spare parts, toys and furniture. There are though, 3 containers with dangerous organic peroxides:
Yellow container number MSCU3713629, blue container number CXDU2077321 and a rust brown container number TCLU41747408. Those locating dangerous containers are asked to call 112. 21 containers were located on the shore, so far, but not the containers described above. At least 21 containers already washed ashore with contents of a number of them scattered around.
Mega container ship MSC ZOE lost 30+ containers during the night Jan 1 – Jan 2 in North sea in rough weather, north of Borkum, Germany, while en route from Sines Portugal to Bremerhaven Germany. 18 containers reportedly are located, 7 containers were washed ashore along Dutch coast in Vlieland and Terschelling area, with their content scattered around, said to be mainly car parts and toys. 3 containers contain organic peroxides, which can be dangerously reactive. They can decompose very rapidly or explosively if they are exposed to only slight heat, friction, mechanical shock or contamination with incompatible materials. Those 3 containers, as of 1200 UTC, weren’t yet located. MSC ZOE meanwhile, is slowly moving in northern direction, reportedly trying to assess the number of lost containers, and probably, other damages.
Container ship MSC ZOE, IMO 9703318, dwt 199 272, capacity 19224 TEU, built 2015, flag Panama, manager MSC.
UPDATE Jan 3 MSC Official Statement
MSC has published the following statement regarding a vessel incident in the North Sea: https://www.msc.com/che/news/2019-january/msc-appoints-clean-up-company-sonar-equipped-vess
MSC HIRES CLEAN-UP COMPANY, SONAR-EQUIPPED VESSELS FOR NORTH SEA SEARCH
02/01/2019
MSC Zoe – Silk Service – Voyage FS848W
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has started a clean-up operation in response to a substantial spill of containers in the North Sea.
The cargo ship MSC Zoe encountered heavy weather while sailing toward Bremerhaven, Germany, on 2 January.
Unfortunately, a number of the containers were damaged or lost overboard amid very difficult conditions.
MSC appointed on 2 January a salvage company to coordinate the retrieval of cargo and beach clean-up operations and is also deploying specialised ships equipped with sonar to search for missing cargo at sea.
MSC takes this incident very seriously, both in terms of the impact of such accidents on the natural environment and in terms of any damage to customers’ cargo. In all aspects of the clean-up MSC is collaborating with local authorities.
MSC Zoe proceeded to Bremerhaven for cargo discharge operations. In the meantime, MSC is analysing the causes of the incident. MSC will ensure that customers who seek further information receive direct communications in the coming days. They are invited to contact local MSC representatives.
