According to reports from Taiwanese media, a ship collision accident was reported at Berth 77 of Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan Province on April 1st.
 
The British-flagged container ship ZEAL LUMOS was preparing to depart the port at around 11 a.m. on April 1st. During the turning maneuver of ZEAL LUMOS, duty officers at the Navigation Control Center of Kaohsiung Port Branch reminded the pilot via radio that the vessel’s stern was approaching the Panama-flagged container ship HAIAN OPUS berthed at Berth 77. Unexpectedly, the vessel collided with the starboard side of HAIAN OPUS shortly after, causing four containers on the latter to fall into the water.
 
Fortunately, there were no casualties in the incident. The port authority stated that no oil spill occurred. Relevant authorities including the Southern Navigation Affairs Center of the Maritime and Port Bureau, the Transportation Safety Board, and the terminal operator have been notified. Navigation data has been preserved for investigation by the above authorities.
 
As noted by Kaohsiung Port Branch, the British-flagged ZEAL LUMOS declared departure at 11 a.m. on April 1st with a pilot on board, and was assisted by two tugboats with 6,400 horsepower and 5,400 horsepower respectively. The ship cast off at 11:37 a.m. and planned to turn around before leaving the port.
 
Duty staff at the Navigation Control Center had radioed the pilot to warn that the stern of ZEAL LUMOS was closing in on HAIAN OPUS berthed at Berth 77, urging immediate evasive action.
 
However, at 12:03 p.m., the control center reported that ZEAL LUMOS had collided with the starboard hull of HAIAN OPUS, leading four containers to plunge into the waters off Berth 77. ZEAL LUMOS was instructed to return to Berth 110 for follow-up investigations.
 
As the sunken containers blocked the channel and threatened navigation safety, Kaohsiung Port Branch imposed traffic control on the Second Port entrance and exit at 12:03 p.m. A nearby workboat Fengcheng 8 was dispatched to tow the floating containers to the shore of Berth 78. After confirming no navigation risks, vessel traffic at the Second Port resumed at 12:30 p.m.
 
To ensure channel safety, Kaohsiung Port Branch has requested HANSHIN OCEAN NAVIGATION CO., LTD. to reinforce the lashing of remaining containers on HAIAN OPUS.
 
With no casualties or oil spill recorded, relevant navigation records, communication logs and meteorological data have been submitted to the Southern Navigation Affairs Center and the Transportation Safety Board for further inquiry.
 
 
Do you think the collision was mainly caused by pilot error or port scheduling loopholes? How can cargo owners quickly avoid losses from such port accidents?