Classification
- Incident Type: Allision
- Severity: High
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | OOCL Durban |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Flag State | Panama [PA] |
| IMO Number | 9567673 |
| Gross Tonnage | 87697 |
| LOA (m) | |
| Other vessel | YM Constancy, container ship |
| Charterer | OOCL |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2021-06-03 |
| Location | Berth 70, Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| Region | |
| Coordinates | |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | 1 |
| Missing | |
| Direct Damage | |
| Physical consequence | Damage to both ships, two cranes and containers |
Key facts
- OOCL Durban was entering the second harbour entrance under pilotage, bound for Berth 66. TTSB, p. 1
- At 11:27:57 local time it struck the moored YM Constancy and a crane at Berth 70 at about 3.9 knots. TTSB, p. 1–2
- One crane collapsed and a second was damaged; one crane operator was injured. TTSB case summary
- The investigation recorded damage to both ships and containers, with no environmental pollution. TTSB, p. 1, 7
- TTSB identified an excessive turning radius and inadequate planned tug use among the probable causal findings. TTSB, p. 46
Narrative
On 3 June 2021, the Panama-flagged container ship OOCL Durban entered Kaohsiung's second harbour entrance under pilotage to berth at Berth 66. The vessel carried no cargo. Weather was good and its main engine, bow thruster, steering and navigational equipment were functioning normally before the accident. During the port turn near Berth 70, the ship did not turn sufficiently to clear the moored container ship YM Constancy and the shoreside crane. At 11:27:57 local time, its starboard side made contact at approximately 3.9 knots. TTSB, p. 1–2
OOCL Durban suffered damage to its starboard bridge-wing structure and accommodation ladder. YM Constancy's port-side hull and a container were damaged. One crane collapsed, another was damaged, and one crane operator was injured. TTSB reported no environmental pollution. TTSB, p. 1, 7 TTSB case summary
TTSB found that the initial rudder angle and speed produced insufficient turning rate, enlarging the turning circle. The pilot relied on experience without adequately planning the manoeuvre and tug use. The assisting tug had not secured its towline, limiting its ability to pull when the turn deteriorated. The report also identified insufficient master-pilot exchange and fatigue-management risks; it did not establish fatigue as a probable cause. TTSB, p. 38–39, 46–47
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2021-06-03 10:44 local | The pilot boarded OOCL Durban for the approach to Berth 66. TTSB, p. 1 |
| About 11:20 local | The pilot ordered progressively greater port rudder and assistance from the tug at the port stern. TTSB, p. 1, 38 |
| 11:27:57 local | OOCL Durban collided with YM Constancy and contacted the crane at Berth 70. TTSB, p. 1–2 |
| 11:28:53–11:28:57 local | Crane GC8 began tilting and collapsed. TTSB, p. 15 |
| 2022-11-22 | TTSB issued its final investigation report. TTSB, p. 1 |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient turning rate | Confirmed finding | Initial rudder angle and vessel speed enlarged the turning radius; the bow thruster was ineffective at the speed used. TTSB classified these as probable causal findings. TTSB, p. 46 |
| Inadequate planned tug use | Confirmed finding | The pilot did not adequately plan tug assistance for the large ship's turn. The assisting tug's towline was not secured. TTSB, p. 38, 46 |
| Master-pilot exchange | Confirmed finding | TTSB identified inadequate assessment and exchange concerning loss of steering effectiveness as a risk finding. TTSB, p. 39, 46 |
Investigation
Taiwan's Transportation Safety Board published final report TTSB-MOR-22-11-006 on 22 November 2022. Its probable causal findings concern turning rate, the pilot's manoeuvring plan and planned tug use. Separate findings address master-pilot exchange and pilot fatigue-management risks. Recommendations called for suitable tug assistance when large ships pass Berth 70, improved information exchange and review of pilot work schedules. TTSB, p. 46–49
References
- TTSB, final investigation TTSB-MOR-22-11-006, 22 November 2022
- TTSB, OOCL Durban case summary
- OOCL, Statement regarding OOCL Durban incident, 4 June 2021
- CNA, crane collapse at Kaohsiung, 3 June 2021
- Lloyd's List, OOCL boxship collides with berth in Taiwan, 3 June 2021