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Accidents

Eleonora Maersk (2007)

Two containers fell during unloading from Eleonora Maersk at the Port of Algeciras, killing one dockworker and seriously injuring another.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Terminal Accident
  • Severity: High
  • Region: Spain

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameEleonora Maersk
Vessel TypeContainer
Flag StateDenmark [DK]
IMO Number9321500
Gross Tonnage171542
LOA (m)398.9
Breadth (m)56.4
TEU11000
Year Built2007

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2007-05-28
LocationPort of Algeciras, Juan Carlos I quay
Coordinates36.1288, -5.4446
RegionSpain
Fatalities1
Injuries1
Missing
Cargo Loss
Direct Damage
Economic Damage

Key facts

  • At about 15:25 local time, two containers being discharged from Eleonora Maersk fell from portainer crane No. 12 onto a forklift at the Juan Carlos I quay.
  • One dockworker died and another was seriously injured; port operations at the affected terminal were halted.
  • APM Terminals stopped the affected crane and two similar cranes while it investigated, and the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras opened information-gathering proceedings.
  • Later court reporting said that the investigating court in Algeciras had formally investigated eleven people in connection with the workplace accident.

Narrative

On 28 May 2007, Eleonora Maersk was being unloaded at APM Terminals' Juan Carlos I quay in the Port of Algeciras. Europa Press reported that at about 15:25 two 20-foot containers fell from a portainer crane onto a forklift. One dockworker died and another was seriously injured. Emergency medical and port medical personnel attended the scene, and the terminal's container operations were stopped.

APM Terminals announced an exhaustive investigation and stopped the affected crane and two similar cranes pending the results. The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras also opened information-gathering proceedings. Later reporting from Algeciras said that the investigating court had formally investigated eleven people, including personnel connected with terminal management, maintenance, supervision, contracting, and crane operation.

The available reporting does not establish the exact mechanical failure, the contents or weights of the containers, damage to Eleonora Maersk, pollution, or the final outcome of the judicial proceedings. A later report citing labor-inspection and expert material described alleged mechanical, electronic, maintenance, and post-repair training failures. Those details are reported investigative allegations, not a final official finding.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
2007-05-28 15:25 localTwo 20-foot containers being discharged from Eleonora Maersk fell from portainer crane No. 12 onto a forklift at the Juan Carlos I quay.
2007-05-28One dockworker died and another was seriously injured; APM Terminals stopped the affected crane and two similar cranes, and the port authority opened proceedings.
2009-06-11Regional court reporting stated that the investigating court in Algeciras had formally investigated eleven people in connection with the accident.

Contributing factors

FactorEvidence statusDescription
Crane 12 mechanical and electronic conditionReportedA 2009 report said that labor-inspection and expert material identified mechanical and electronic failures and reported that the crane's braking system had failed before the casualty. No final official finding was located.
Maintenance and post-repair trainingReportedThe same report described alleged maintenance and training failures after repair. These details were reported in the context of pending proceedings and are not established as final judicial findings here.

Investigation

APM Terminals announced an investigation, and the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras opened information-gathering proceedings immediately after the accident. Later court reporting stated that the investigating court in Algeciras had formally investigated eleven people. No official final investigation report or final court disposition has been identified.

References

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