Removal of collapsed containers from the ill-fated ONE Apus will likely take several more weeks to complete, as the owner company ONE Line intends to conduct repairs to the vessel’s deck simultaneously with the discharge operation, according to shipping claims consultancy WK Webster, which is involved in the case.
The ship lost a total of 1,816 containers overboard during severe inclement weather on 30 November in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,600 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii. Several thousands were also collapsed throughout the deck.
Following a seasonal break in Kobe, Japan, the removing of collapsed containers from the ship’s deck resumed on 5th January. As of 8 January, 232 containers have been discharged in total.
ONE Line said it intends to conduct repairs to the vessel’s deck simultaneously with the discharge operation as the bays are cleared and this will mean that the operations will be conducted “with slower speed”.
It seems likely therefore that the discharge operation will take several more weeks to complete. However, contrary to this suggestion, the observed rate of container off-loading has actually increased slightly since the resumption of operations,
…WK Webster informed.
See also: Cargo losses from ONE Apus may reach USD200 million
Reports say some of the containers discharged are virtually destroyed, whilst others are in relatively good condition.
Shipowners and operators have unfortunately not been cooperative as to the status of each container and their stowage positions and we continue to liaise with their representatives in this regard. Meanwhile, we are continuing to press for more detailed surveys of affected containers and their contents,
….the consultancy said.
Further unconfirmed reports advise of the possibility that the under-deck cargo will remain in situ, such that once the deck spaces are repaired, some containers may be able to be re-loaded on-deck prior to the vessel resuming the voyage.
It is also known that a General Average surveyor has been onboard to assess the situation and has reported to the shipowners.
General Average has not been declared at this stage, but cannot yet be ruled out, although the likelihood of a declaration is considered to be receding as time progresses.
Experts are still examining the root cause or causes of the casualty.
