In recent times, there have been frequent port ship collisions. Yesterday another "bumper boat" accident occurred in Bejaia Port, Algeria. One container crashed into another unloading container ship when it was parked, and another bulk carrier was collided. The implicated damage is serious.
It is understood that the vessel involved in the accident was the container ship "VEGA SIGMA" (IMO 9330240) with a carrying capacity of 1118 TEU and flying the Liberian flag. The container ship that was hit was the "Atlantic North" (IMO 9236597) with a carrying capacity of 1119 TEU and flying the Maltese flag. The bulk carrier that was hit was "OWL" (IMO: 9441386), with a deadweight of 57,809 tons and flying the Marshall flag.
According to local media reports, on Saturday night, the container ship "VEGA SIGMA" had an electrical failure while entering the port after completing its entry procedures. The ship lost control and ran into another container ship "Atlantic North" that was unloading at berth 24. "No., the collision produced a loud noise, and some residents in the surrounding communities were awakened. A port mobile crane that was unloading was knocked down. The crane driver was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital. Due to the violent collision, the bulk carrier "OWL" on the other side of the "Atlantic North" transporting sugar for local companies was also implicated. It is understood that no one was injured except the crane driver. The three ships were damaged to varying degrees. The ship damage chart is as follows.
This is only one week after the last bumper boat incident occurred in the port of Punta da Madeira, Brazil. On November 28, 2020, when the 400,000-ton ore carrier "NSU CARAJAS" entered Pier 4 of the Port of Punta da Madeira for berthing, due to a loss of power, it ran into two berths in succession. An 180,000-ton bulk carrier at the No. 3 pier of the port.
These two large-scale port collision accidents were caused by equipment failure. Before the ship entered the port, the crew should adjust and test various mechanical equipment to make them available at any time to ensure the safety of navigation operations. The two port accidents in a short period of time also reminded all parties concerned that safety in production is the most important as the new year is approaching!
