Coast Guard: Containership Loses About 70 Containers Overboard Off U.S. East Coast

A 10,000 TEU containership lost about 70 containers overboard on Saturday night while about 17 miles off Oregon Inlet, North Carolina.

The U.S. Coast Guard is warning mariners of navigation hazards.

The 324-meter Maersk Shanghai contacted USCG watchstanders at Sector North Carolina’s command center via VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 on Saturday evening notifying them that they lost approximately 70 to 73 cargo containers due to high winds and heavy seas.

The ship departed from Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday bound for Charleston, South Carolina, where it was due to arrive Sunday, according to ship-tracking data.

UPDATE: Maersk Line Addresses Loss of Containers from Ship Off U.S. East Coast

The incident comes as a powerful nor’easter slammed the East Coast over the weekend, producing hurricane-force winds and significant wave heights up in excess of 40 feet in the western Atlantic. 

Here is a wave analysis from Saturday night:

The Coast Guard urges all mariners to transit this area with caution.

The MV Maersk Shanghai was built in 2016 and has a nominal capacity of 10,081 TEU. It is currently sailing on Maersk Line’s TP11 service.

Here is a look at the storm from NOAA’s NWS Ocean Prediction Center.

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