The ultra large container ship ‘CSCL JUPITER’ which was in news for running aground in Antwerp port has been at European Container Terminal, Antwerp for further repairs.
The grounding of the vessel brought the maritime traffic to halt in the World’s 15th largest port. The vessel has been scheduled to be offloaded and dry docked until all the repairs are carried out.
How will be damage assessment be carried out?
The question that arises in the mind of all readers is, Is there any diagnostic equipment and technologies, that are used to survey and measure structural strength of such a giant ship, with sufficient degree of confidence in the results?
On August 14, a container ship reportedly ran aground on the bank of a river, while bringing the traffic to a complete halt in the World’s busiest port.
What happened?
The container ship ‘CSCL Jupiter’ ran aground on the banks of the river Scheldt. The river Scheldt connects Antwerp, Europe’s second-biggest port to the North Sea.
The traffic to and from the Antwerp port was brought to a complete halt after the container ship reportedly ran aground at a high speed of some 13 knots. The vessel did not suffer any serious damages during the grounding incident.
What is the degree of risk of exploiting such ship further on?
We can recall one example of a disaster, which probably, was partially caused by previous grounding, MSC NAPOLI disaster in English Canal in year 2007.
The ship suffered hull cracks in a severe storm and finally, broke in two, causing a major disaster on UK coast. Furthermore, 6 years before disaster, MSC NAPOLI, the then CMA-CGM Normandie, ran aground on the reef near Singapore, sailing at a full speed. Container ship underwent major repair, but how weaker she became after a major accident, how less safe, remained a mystery.
The same question can be asked about ‘CSCL JUPITER’ present condition. Is the vessel worthy to setting sail after the damages it suffered?
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Source: Fleetmon
Dear Sirs,
The similarity with the CMA CGM Normandie brought onto the article is wrong and do not reflect what actually happened after the MSC Napoli incident.
Please read the official reports from the MIB and the DNV (vessel’s class at that time) regarding the causes which led the vessel to collapse iwo the forward ER bulkhead.
Regards
Kada Benyoucef