ONGOING MOP-UP OPERATION IN GQEBERHA AFTER LOSS OF 46 CONTAINERS ONBOARD THE MSC ANTONIA
Published: September 12, 2024<< BACK TO NEWS
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The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) are actively engaged in a mop-up operation following an
incident involving the MSC Antonia, a container ship sailing under the flag of Liberia. The
vessel safely arrived in Cape Town after encountering severe weather conditions on 28 August
2024, which resulted in the loss of 46 containers overboard and damage to 305 containers.
The incident occurred approximately 29 nautical miles northeast of Port St. Johns while the
vessel was en route from Colombo to New York.
In response to the container loss, a navigation warning has been issued to all vessels
operating in the affected area. SAMSA urges all maritime operators and the public to exercise
caution. Any sightings of containers or debris along the South African coastline must be
reported immediately to local authorities or SAMSA by contacting the Maritime Rescue
Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300. Please provide the position, number, and
colour of the containers if observed.
SAMSA and the NMBM wish to remind the public of the potential dangers that may arise from
attempting to salvage any wreckage that may wash ashore. We strongly urge the public to
avoid handling any debris and instead contact the authorities, who will arrange for the safe
salvage and disposal of the wreckage.
The MSC Antonia is currently berthed in Cape Town, where it will undergo a comprehensive
assessment and necessary repairs. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew,
and the ship was able to continue its voyage safely despite the incident.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality waste management teams are currently collecting
debris from the harbour wall to Pine Lodge. Approximately 190 bags, totalling 2 tons of debris,
have already been collected. Some of the items collected include tablets and pre-cooked
meals. Efforts are ongoing to search for the lost containers.
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