SAMSA Launches Search for Lost Containers Amid Growing Maritime Risks

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has initiated a search operation for five empty containers that fell overboard from the MS MSC Taranto, a Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel, along the west coast of South Africa. The incident occurred on October 2, 2024, posing a potential threat to maritime shipping in the area between Mossel Bay and Stillbaai. SAMSA has issued a navigation warning to alert ships in the vicinity and is actively working to locate and retrieve the containers, urging vigilance and reporting of any sightings.

This incident is part of a growing trend of cargo losses from container ships, with several vessels, such as the MV Benjamin Franklin, MV CMA CGM Belem, MS Maersk Stepnica, MV Rio Grande Express, and MSC Antonia, having lost nearly 200 containers during recent winter storms. The surge in shipping traffic around the Cape of Good Hope, caused by diversions related to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, has also contributed to the heightened risk of such incidents occurring.

In a separate development, SAMSA has confirmed the release of the MS MSC Apollo, which was detained in Algoa Bay following an oil spill on September 7th. The spill had a significant impact on local wildlife, particularly the penguin population on St. Croix Island, with 13 oiled penguins rescued for rehabilitation. The ship owners have cooperated with authorities, paying fines and committing to cover clean-up and rehabilitation costs for the affected wildlife.

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