18 March 2024 (Lloyd's List) - A Yang Ming-operated large boxship, YM Witness (IMO: 9704609), overturned dock cranes when calling at Evyap port in Kocaeli, Türkiye, at the weekend.
The incident occurred when the 14,000 teu ship was docking at Evyap port at 1545 hrs local time on Saturday, resulting in the overturning of the cranes and several containers falling off the ship into the sea, the Turkish General Directorate of Maritime Affairs said in a post on X.
The Turkish Maritime and Global Strategies Center said it estimated the incident had caused at least $50m in damage and rendered the three cranes unrepairable. It also predicted significant congestion in nearby ports.
The GDMA said no deaths or injuries had occurred, and no environmental pollution was reported.
However, local media reports said a crane operator was seriously injured.
In a statement, Yang Ming said: “Whereas navigational behaviour and seamanship are under the supervision and management of the shipowner, administrative inquiries and a full investigation into this incident are currently being conducted in conjunction with the shipowner and the relevant maritime authorities.”
The carrier also said the incident caused no casualties and marine pollution, citing the owner.
Vessel ownership data shows that YM Witness is owned by Seaspan.
Yang Ming and Seaspan have been approached for comment.
YM Witness is deployed on the Far East-Mediterranean MD3 service, Yang Ming said, adding that more information regarding vessel schedule adjustments and cargo transhipment will be provided when available.
The ship left Ningbo, China, for Evyap on January 24, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s data.
Last December, containership HMM Algeciras collided with a gantry crane while berthing at PSA Antwerp, causing the crane to topple over but without injuries.
