Classification
- Incident Type: Cargo Loss
- Severity: Medium
- Primary evidence: Operator updates; technical cause initially reported as preliminary.
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Maersk Eindhoven |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Flag State | Denmark [DK] |
| IMO Number | 9456771 |
| Gross Tonnage | |
| LOA (m) | 366 |
| TEU | 13,100 |
| Owner/Operator | Maersk |
Flag and capacity: Maersk, 19 February update. IMO and length: MARIN review, p. 145, table 4-70.
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2021-02-17 |
| Location | About 45 nautical miles off northern Japan |
| Coordinates | |
| Region | Pacific Ocean |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Cargo Loss | 260 containers overboard |
| Direct Damage | |
| Economic Damage |
The location and date follow Maersk's contemporary account. MARIN's later reconstruction instead lists 16 February at 22:44 UTC and an estimated position farther offshore. The time basis of Maersk's date is unspecified. Maersk, MARIN, pp. 145–146
Key facts
- The Danish-flagged ship was sailing from Xiamen to Los Angeles on the TP6 service. Maersk, 19 February
- Maersk reported a propulsion loss lasting three to four minutes and severe rolling. Maersk, 19 February
- The reported cargo outcome was 260 containers lost and 65 damaged on deck. Maersk, 19 February
- The operator's initial analysis linked shutdown to an engine oil-pressure safety feature, while investigation continued. Maersk, 19 February
- The vessel berthed at Yokohama on 25 February, sailed on 2 March and reached Los Angeles on 21 March. Maersk, dated updates
Narrative
Maersk Eindhoven was carrying containers from Xiamen, China, to Los Angeles when it encountered heavy seas near northern Japan. Maersk reported an engine propulsion loss of three to four minutes on 17 February 2021. Loss of manoeuvrability led to severe rolling, with 260 containers going overboard and 65 damaged on deck. Propulsion was quickly restored, and the operator reported that the crew were safe. That statement did not provide separate final casualty counts. Maersk, 19 February update
The initial operator analysis indicated that engine oil pressure triggered a safety feature and shut down the engines. Maersk said it had identified no malfunction or maintenance issues at that stage, while a complete investigation remained ongoing. These were preliminary statements rather than published independent findings. The ship turned back toward Asia for inspection and repair. Surveyors and salvors boarded in Japanese waters, and the vessel berthed at APM Terminals Yokohama on 25 February for discharge of damaged containers and repairs. Maersk, 19–25 February updates
Maersk announced that all vessel repairs were complete on 1 March. Eindhoven sailed on 2 March and arrived in Los Angeles on 21 March. The operator warned that further cargo damage might become apparent during discharge there. Maersk, 1–22 March updates
MARIN's later review estimated incident conditions from available tracking material and wave hindcasts. It considered either parametric or resonant rolling possible, with parametric rolling slightly more likely, but stressed the unknown loading condition and uncertain roll period. This analysis does not establish a confirmed roll mechanism or final engine-shutdown cause. MARIN, pp. 145–147
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-17 (operator date) | Propulsion loss, rolling and container loss. |
| 2021-02-19 | Maersk reported 260 containers lost and 65 damaged; investigation ongoing. |
| 2021-02-25 | Vessel berthed at Yokohama for cargo operations and repairs. |
| 2021-03-01 | Maersk announced completion of vessel repairs. |
| 2021-03-02 | Vessel sailed from Yokohama. |
| 2021-03-21 | Vessel arrived in Los Angeles, as reported on 22 March. |
Sequence: Maersk dated updates; MSC's 3 March update corroborates Yokohama berthing and departure.
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion loss and severe rolling | Reported | Maersk linked the brief loss of manoeuvrability in heavy seas to rolling and container loss. |
| Oil-pressure safety shutdown | Reported | Preliminary operator analysis; no completed independent finding identified. |
| Roll mechanism | Suspected | MARIN considered parametric or resonant rolling possible, with substantial uncertainty from unknown loading conditions. |
Factors: Maersk, 19 February, MARIN, p. 146.
Investigation
Maersk announced an investigation and published preliminary analysis. No completed DMAIB investigation report for Eindhoven has been identified. MARIN's 2022 research review is a later technical reconstruction based on public material, not a flag-state casualty investigation. A DMAIB report for Maersk Essen concerns a separate January 2021 incident. Maersk, MARIN, pp. 145–147
References
- Maersk: Eindhoven customer updates, February–April 2021
- MSC: Eindhoven update 2, 3 March 2021
- MARIN report 33039-1-SEA, May 2022, section 4.39, pp. 145–147
- FreightWaves, 19 February 2021