A smaller cargo ship, the Maria Francisca, encountered a stack collapse while navigating the rough seas between Portugal and Spain last week. The vessel, which had departed Lisbon on January 14, arrived at the Port of Vigo with several containers toppled and some hanging precariously over the side. The ship faced heavy winter weather and significant swells, leading to a dangerous condition known as parametric rolling, which has previously caused container losses on larger vessels in the Pacific.
The Maria Francisca was south of Aveiro, Portugal, when it reported shifting containers filled with granite, cocoa, and palm oil. While some containers fell overboard, others collapsed in two midship stacks. The ship has a capacity for 1,829 containers, including 150 refrigerated units, with a maximum of 786 loaded on deck.
The Port Authority of Vigo coordinated the ship’s arrival, dispatching two tugs and a pilot to assist in safe navigation. A helicopter and the Coast Guard vessel Valentin Paz de Andrade were also involved to ensure a secure docking operation, and anti-pollution barriers were deployed as a precaution. Fortunately, the ship docked without incident, sustaining no injuries to crew members and reporting no pollution.
Currently, efforts are underway to assess the situation regarding the collapsed containers and plan for their removal. A technical inspection of the Maria Francisca, managed by Germany’s Held Shipping and registered in Portugal, is also scheduled. Built in 2004, the ship measures 192 meters (630 feet) in length and remains docked in Vigo.
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