A recent incident has left the Chinese-flagged heavy lift ship Shang De Wu Yi Shan damaged after two gantry cranes it was transporting fell into the sea off the Spanish coast.
The cargo shift occurred on 6 December as the vessel encountered rough weather while transiting past the port of A Coruña, Galicia. The stormy conditions caused the two ZPMC-built cranes to be torn loose, with most of the 92-meter-long cranes sinking into the ocean. The falling debris also caused significant damage to the ship’s hull and deck.
The Shang De Wu Yi Shan, which had departed Bremen earlier in the week bound for Thailand, was carrying the towering gantry cranes above the main deck. At approximately 10:40 PM (CET), the crew alerted Spanish maritime authorities, citing safety concerns.
Salvamento Marítimo responded promptly, dispatching a rescue boat and the tugboat Alonso de Chaves, which escorted the vessel to a sheltered bay near Ares, Galicia, for further inspection. A helicopter was also deployed to visually inspect the vessel’s condition and ensure the safety of the crew.
Despite the severe damage to the hull, the ship remained afloat and was able to navigate under its own power. The Shang De Wu Yi Shan is currently anchored in Spain, awaiting calmer weather and repair assessments.
