Classification
- Incident Type: Cargo Loss
- Severity: Medium
- Primary evidence: FreightWaves article quoting a Maersk spokesman
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Vessel Name | Maersk Eindhoven |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Flag State | |
| IMO Number | |
| Gross Tonnage | |
| LOA (m) | |
| TEU | 13,100 |
| Owner/Operator | Maersk |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Date | 2021-02-17 |
| Location | About 45 nautical miles off northern Japan |
| Coordinates | 36.0000, 143.0000 |
| Region | Pacific Ocean |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | Not stated in the source |
| Missing | 0 |
| Cargo Loss | 260 containers overboard |
| Direct Damage | 260 containers lost overboard, 65 damaged on deck, and slight vessel damage requiring inspection and repair |
| Economic Damage | |
Key facts
- Maersk Eindhoven experienced a loss of engine propulsion lasting three to four minutes.
- The loss occurred in heavy seas about 45 nautical miles off northern Japan on 17 February 2021.
- Severe rolling sent 260 containers overboard and damaged 65 more on deck.
- Maersk reported that the crew were safe and that preliminary vessel damage was slight.
- An initial analysis indicated that engine oil pressure triggered a safety feature and shut down the engines; the article says a complete investigation was ongoing.
Narrative
According to the FreightWaves article, Maersk Eindhoven lost engine propulsion for three to four minutes on 17 February 2021 while sailing about 45 nautical miles off northern Japan in heavy seas. The temporary loss of manoeuvrability caused severe rolling, sending 260 containers overboard and damaging another 65 on deck. A Maersk spokesman said the crew were safe. An initial analysis indicated that engine oil pressure had triggered a safety feature and shut down the engines, while no malfunction or maintenance issue had been identified at that stage. Propulsion was quickly restored, and the vessel returned to a North Asia port for inspection and repair. The article reported that a complete investigation was ongoing.
Sequence of events
| Date | Event |
|---|
| 2021-02-17 | Maersk Eindhoven lost engine propulsion for three to four minutes in heavy seas off northern Japan. |
| 2021-02-17 | Severe rolling caused 260 containers to go overboard and damaged 65 containers on deck. |
| 2021-02-17 | Propulsion was restored and the vessel continued toward a North Asia port for inspection and repair. |
| 2021-02-19 | FreightWaves reported that the investigation was ongoing and that preliminary vessel damage was slight. |
Investigation
The available source is a secondary news report quoting Maersk. It describes the engine oil-pressure safety shutdown as an initial analysis, not a final investigation finding. No official investigation report or confirmed registry particulars are linked to the page.
Unresolved questions
- The final investigation outcome and confirmed technical cause are not available in the linked evidence.
- The source does not state a formal injury count; it reports that the crew were safe.
- Flag state, IMO number, gross tonnage, exact length, and economic losses remain unconfirmed.
References
- FreightWaves, “260 containers lost, 65 damaged in Maersk Eindhoven at-sea mishap”
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