Two container ships collided in Hong Kong’s Kwai Tsing Container Port on 28 February. The 2018-built, 14,000 TEU ONE Columba, operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE) was trying to berth after sailing in from Shenzhen, China, when it came into contact with the anchored 1999-built, 7,060 TEU Clifford Maersk, which is operated by Maersk Line.
Clifford Maersk was discharging containers at the time and the impact caused three boxes to drop into the water.
A Maersk spokesperson told Container News: “Clifford Maersk was hit by the inbound One Columbia while she was berthed in the Hong Kong port. The allision caused minor damages to Clifford Maersk but the crew are safe. We have conducted an inspection of the damages, and the vessel has left the Hong Kong port on 2 March.”
Local media reports say a 2m-long breach in the bow of ONE Columba was reported.
Three containers from Clifford Maersk, which is assigned to Maersk’s AC3 service, fell overboard into the water, and were later retrieved. Local media reports suggested that ONE Columba, which serves ONE’s Asia-Latin America Express 2 route, lost power just before the incident, and could have dropped its anchor in response.
When contacted, a ONE spokesperson told Container News: “We can confirm that ONE Columba was involved in an incident at Kwai Tsing Terminal in Hong Kong on 28 February 2025. We have been informed that the vessel has been inspected and it has departed for its next port of call.”
No crew injuries or oil spillage were reported. It is not known if tugs or pilots were assisting ONE Columba as it attempted to berth.
Authorities cleared both ships to resume their voyages on 2 March, and ONE Columba is now sailing towards Ningbo, China, while Clifford Maersk is moving towards Shanghai.
Maersk Line sold Clifford Maersk to Bank of Communications Financial Leasing in 2017 in a leaseback arrangement, while ONE Columba is owned by Japanese ship finance company Anchor Ship Investment, which has leased the vessel to the Singapore-based ocean carrier.
Alison Koo
Asia Correspondent
