14.04.2020

Ship brings down crane

A large container ship crashed into a ship to shore crane at the port of Busan in South Korea last week totally destroying it and damaging two others.

The incident occurred on Monday April 6th when the Milano Bridge container ship was manoeuvring into the dock with a pilot on board and tug attached. The ship’s read swung into the legs of the ship to shore crane causing it to crumple onto the dock, with its boom coming down onto the ship.
Please register to see all images

The operator was able to escape his collapsing ship to shore crane

It then proceeded to make contact with two others, causing them some damage, while a further two were also derailed. The operator of the fallen crane was able to escape but suffered an ankle injury. No one else was hurt. The ship then crashed into the back of another container ship, Seaspan Ganges, causing minor damage.

The Milano Bridge was built in 2018 and is owned and operated by Japanese shipowner K Line and was chartered to by Ocean Network Express, which was listed as the operator at the time, while its ISM (International Safety Management) manager is listed as Singapore based Fleet Management..

A statement from the company said: “Ocean Network Express is investigating an incident involving its chartered container ship MV Milano Bridge at the port of Busan, South Korea. Whilst performing routine berthing operations, the vessel made contact with gantry cranes and another vessel. There have been no fatalities arising from the incident. Damage appraisal to the affected shore facilities and vessels is ongoing.”

The Milano Bridge did receive significant damage to its stern and is believed still be in port. The Busan Coast Guard is investigating the incident. The entire incident was captured on video by a number of individuals, many of which are hosted on YouTube.