Following the massive loss of 1,816 containers during a Pacific storm the stricken vessel ONE Apus has arrived in Kobe, Japan, for the discharge and assessment of the remaining cargo and the ship structure itself.
ONE Apus ran into heavy seas on the night of 30 November and its rolling motion in the storm was thought to have contributed to the massive loss of containers, thought to amount to a quarter of a billion dollars in value.
An Ocean Network Express (ONE) statement said, “Once the ONE Apus is in port and deemed safe, a full investigation will be conducted into this incident in conjunction with the Flag State and the relevant maritime authorities.”
In a further statement from vessel owner, Chidori Ship Holding LLC, the company gave details of the 64 containers lost that were carrying dangerous goods (DG). Some 54 of the DG containers were carrying fireworks with another eight containing batteries, presumably lithium-ion batteries. Two more contained liquid ethanol.
“A notification was sent to the JRCC [Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre] in Honolulu and Guam with maritime navigational warnings subsequently broadcast. We are continuing to liaise with the JRCC in Honolulu, who has advised that there have not been sightings of any containers as yet,” said the Chidori statement.
Meanwhile, according to insurance experts the probable cost of the accident will be more than US$50 million, though it is unlikely to exceed US$100 million. One consultant compared the loss of the MSC Flaminia, which was severely damaged in a fire with the loss of all cargo, with costs of around US$350 million and the MOL comfort which broke in two and sank with the loss of all cargo with losses estimated at US$500 million.
“The number of units lost [from the ONE Apus] were not as great as in those two incidents and ONE has not declared general average, though they probably will. Also the number of insured units is typically half the cargo, so if it’s uninsured it’s probably because it is low value. Of course this is all conjecture at this stage,” she added.
Nick Savvides
Managing Editor
