by Priya Radünzel, SeaNewsEditor
The MSC Antonia is the third ship since July to lose containers in rough waters while sailing around the southern Africa.
According to a news released by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the incident occurred near Port St. Johns in the Eastern Cape, on 28 August.
Following which, the MSC Antonia reported 46 containers lost overboard and damage to 305 containers onboard. SAMSA has since issued a navigational warning, along with a public call to report any sightings of the containers along the country’s eastern seaboard.
After the incident, the ship sailed to Cape Town where it is currently docked for inspection and cargo load adjustments.
Seaexplorer data shows the 6,969 TEU Liberian-flag vessel is deployed on MSC's Indus Express service between India and the US. It was on its way from Colombo to New York via the Cape of Good Hope when it hit severe weather conditions.
This incident follows similar occurrences in recent months. In July, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin lost 40 containers in rough weather off the South African coast. In August, the CMA CGM Belem lost 99 containers near the South Africa coast and is currently docked at the Port of Ngqura.
