Container Ship Collides With Fenders in Antwerp

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MSC Gemma Collides With Fenders In Antwerp

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Accident: Collision
Vessel Involved: MSC Gemma
Location: Zandvliet Lock in Antwerp, Belgium
Casualties/Pollution: Nil

Vessel Info:

Length279.00 m
Beam40.00 m
Draft9.00 m
Deadweight67,566 DWT
Gross tonnage66,289 GRT
Built at: Samsung Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries in their shipyard in Geoje, South Korea
Operated by: MSC
Year Built: 2000

At Zandvliet Lock in Antwerp, Belgium, the container ship MSC Gemma collided with the fenders.  The accident was caused by the two tugs presumably pulling it at too high speed.  The ship was carrying only 400 TEU on board and had excessive lateral wind area, and so it was unresistant to the stormy weather.  On entering the lock, it collided with the fenders.

The collision caused a 3-4 meters long breach in starboard side above the waterline of the vessel.  It remained afloat and proceeded to Antwerp.  The ship will be repaired during cargo handling operations and will be inspected by the local authorities before return in service.

The Zandvliet Lock did not suffer any damage and service was not interrupted.  Probably MSC Gemma may lose a day in its time schedule.

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