Another CMA CGM ship loses containers off South Africa

Adverse weather conditions have led to yet another large container vessel losing 99 containers off the east coast of South Africa, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

In response, a navigational warning to sailing vessels has been issued and a public call made to report any sighting of the cargo containers possibly still floating at sea.

The incident happened on the 13,000 teu CMA CGM Belem, a ship featuring a wind shield which was delivered from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard at the start of this year. The stow collapse happened late last Thursday off Richards Bay. 

This is the second box spill to hit the French line off South Africa in the space of a month. The 18,000 teu CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin lost 40 containers last month off South Africa’s east coast.