Cargo Ship Breaks from Mooring in Fremantle, Strikes Rail Bridge

STORM CHAOS. Perth & SW hit hard. LIVE from #Fremantle & #Bunbury soon on #TodayPerth9. LIVE STREAM #9Newscomau pic.twitter.com/GPqqNbNhKV

— Nine News Perth (@9NewsPerth) August 17, 2014

Strong winds of up to 110 kilometers per hour in Fremantle last night resulted in a cargo ship breaking free from its mooring in Western Australia.

The incident occurred at about 10PM local time while stevedoring operations were in progress according to authorities, and involved a large general cargo ship AAL Fremantle berthed at North Quay berth 12.

During last night’s storm, the stern of the vessel broke free from its berth and the vessel swung around and struck the Fremantle Rail Bridge.

The AAL Fremantle not going anywhere this morning after crashing into the Freo railway bridge last night @9NewsPerth pic.twitter.com/mu6QiRVsvV

— Ben Hennessy (@ben_j_hennessy) August 17, 2014

According to the ship owner, the impact of vessel on the railway bridge caused damage to overhead power lines as one of the power line pylons collapsed, which in turn caused power outages and cancellation of Fremantle train service between North Fremantle and Fremantle.

Authorities are currently assessing the damage to the bridge.

Five hours later, tugs brought the vessel back to its berth according to reports.

Update: The pure car and truck carrier Grand Pioneer also broke from its mooring during the storm.

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