CMA CGM ship loses 99 containers in storms off South Africa

The 13,000 teu CMA CGM Belem lost as many as 99 containers in adverse weather while sailing off the coast of Richards Bay in South Africa on Thursday 16 August according to the South Africa Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

The authority has issued a navigational safety warning to vessels and issued a public call to report any containers sighted still floating at sea.

The damaged Malatese-flagged, LNG dual-fuelled, CMA CGM Belem has sought refuge in the port of Ngqura.

"The vessel had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay. However, after further assessment, the decision was made to redirect the ship to Qheberha. The CMA CGM Belem is currently slow steaming towards Port of Ngqura, with an expected time of arrival on 18 August 2024," SAMSA said on Saturday.

Given the vessel’s draught the port of Ngqura was identified as the only suitable port of refuge.

The incident with the CMA CGM Belem comes just a month after the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin lost 44 containers overboard off the coast of South Africa while sailing round the Cape of Good Hope.

Both vessels were on voyages between Asia and Europe and transiting the Cape of Good Hope due to the security situation in the Red Sea.

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.

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