Severe Weather Causes Container Loss Off South African Coast

A CMA CGM containership lost some 99 containers overboard in heavy weather last week off the east coast of South Africa, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has reported. The incident comes after another CMA CGM ship lost dozens of containers overboard in the area just last month.

SAMSA confirmed over the weekend that the Maltese-flagged CMA CGM BELEM encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay on Thursday night, leading to a significant stow collapse and the loss of the containers.

In response to the incident, SAMSA has issued a navigational warning to other vessels and has called on the public to report any sightings of the lost containers that may still be floating at sea.

Initially, the vessel sought refuge at Maputo Bay, but after further assessment, it was redirected to Qheberha. SAMSA said the CMA CGM BELEM was due to arrive at the Port of Ngqura on Sunday. AIS ship tracking data showed it was at anchor off Ngqura as of Monday.

The incident marks the second cargo loss involving a CMA CGM ship off South Africa in a matter of months. In early July the ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, also Maltese-flagged, lost up to 40 containers in the same area while sailing from Asia to Europe.

The incidents come as ships are rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope due to Houthi attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Due to its size, the CMA CGM BELEM will be temporarily berthed at the Eastern Cape’s deep water port in Algoa Bay for safety and cargo adjustment. The vessel, built in 2024, is 336 meters in length, 51 meters in height, and has a draft of 14.8 meters.

“Given her draft, Port of Ngqura has been identified as the only suitable port of refuge. Stowage collapses have been confirmed, and the affected containers will need to be discharged at a container port facility upon arrival,” said SAMSA.

The owners of the vessel are cooperating with the authorities, and a navigational warning has been issued for the safety of other vessels in the vicinity.

SAMSA has requested vessels traversing the ocean area and the public to report any sightings of the lost containers to the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC).