Loss of 137 containers from a container ship in the North Pacific Ocean.

The MAIB accident investigation report into the collapse of 3 container bays and loss of 137 containers from CMA CGM G. Washington during heavy weather while on passage from Xiamen, China to Los Angeles, USA on 20 January 2018, is now published

The report contains details of what happened, the subsequent actions taken and recommendations made.

At about 0127 on 20 January 2018, the then UK flagged¹ container ship CMA CGM G. Washington unexpectedly rolled 20° to starboard, paused for several seconds, then rolled 20° to port. The ship was experiencing very heavy seas in the North Pacific Ocean while on passage from Xiamen, China to Los Angeles, USA. In daylight the following morning, the crew found that three container bays had collapsed, with 137 containers lost overboard and a further 85 damaged.

Safety issues

• The reduced structural strength of the non-standard 53ft containers, inaccurate container weight declarations, mis-stowed containers and loose lashings. The report concluded that:
  • bay 54 collapsed because the acceleration forces generated during the roll exceeded the structural strength of the non-standard 53ft containers stowed there
  • bay 58 failed because some of the containers were struck by the 53ft containers as they toppled overboard
  • bay 18 failed as a result of a combination of factors but was probably initiated by the failure of one or more of the containers stowed there

Recommendations

CMA ships is recommended (2020/103) to ensure that, where container terminals routinely weigh containers prior to loading, the cargo plan is updated to reflect these weights.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is recommended (2020/104) to promote UK container owners’ involvement in Bureau Internationale des Containers databases.

Bureau Veritas is recommended (2020/105 and 2020/106 respectively) to amend its rules to require require on board lashing software to display maximum pitch and roll angles for the vessel’s condition, and, to review its rules and approval procedure.

MAIB investigation report 2-2020: CMA CGM G. Washington

Annexes to MAIB investigation report 2-2020: CMA CGM G. Washington

Source: MAIB