A cargo barge collided with the Willemsbrug bridge in Rotterdam at around 8:45 a.m. on 11 September, resulting in five containers falling into the Maas River.
While no injuries were reported, the extent of the damage to the bridge remains unclear, with engineers on-site to assess it. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise at the time of the collision, and videos shared on social media show MSC and Maersk containers floating down the river. Harbor operator Havenbedrijf Rotterdam confirmed that four containers have been retrieved, while one sank but has been located.
Willemsbrug. Alweer.. pic.twitter.com/qNYhJms07m
— Meijer (@joostm21) September 11, 2024
The vessel involved was moored at Noordereiland, and the captain is being questioned by authorities. Early speculation suggests the captain may have misjudged the bridge’s height. Interestingly, the ship did not stop after the collision, despite the noise it made.
This incident marks the second time this year that a vessel has struck one of Rotterdam’s bridges, with a previous incident in March causing two containers to fall into the water. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the cause and assess any further risks to the port’s operations.
