CMA CGM ship loses 44 containers in South African storm

The French shipping company said the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin faced “unexpectedly strong adverse weather conditions” off the South African coasts while on a westbound voyage from Asia to Europe. The vessel lost 44 containers overboard and a further 30 were damaged in the storm.

CMA CGM said there were no injuries to the crew of the vessel which remained seaworthy. The company added that no pollution was reported and inspection showed the containers contents were “harmless” and did not include hazardous cargoes.

“CMA CGM immediately notified the relevant authorities and will proceed to Cape Town for making a throughout assessment of the situation and taking all relevant and necessary measures to ensure a safe prosecution of the sea voyage,” the company said.

Container ships would normally transit the Red Sea and Suez Canal between Asia and Europe, however, the vast majority have diverted to sailing via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthi in Yemen. This has exposed vessels that would not normally transit the African cape to severe winter storms in the region.

As Seatrade Maritime News reported on Thursday LSEG data and analytics said that severe storms in the African cape region had brought a halt to all container ship traffic both east and westbound since 8 July with several vessels either making turnarounds or waiting off the coast of Durban.

Related:South African storms delay cape diverted container ships