Classification
- Incident Type: Allision
- Severity: High
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | YM Witness |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Flag State | Hong Kong [HK] |
| IMO Number | 9704609 |
| Gross Tonnage | |
| LOA (m) | 368 |
| Ship operator | Seaspan Ship Management |
| Charterer | Yang Ming |
| Approximate Capacity | 14,000 TEU |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2024-03-16 |
| Location | Evyap Port, Gulf of Izmit, Turkey |
| Region | Turkey |
| Coordinates | |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Direct Damage |
Key facts
- YM Witness contacted the pier and port cranes during berthing on 16 March 2024. Yang Ming, 18 March 2024
- Seaspan reported harbour-tug assistance and the collapse of three cranes. Seaspan statement
- Yang Ming identified the vessel as chartered, with navigation managed by the shipowner. Yang Ming, 18 March 2024
- Owner and charterer statements reported no injuries or casualties, while press accounts reported an injured crane operator. Seaspan statement Yang Ming, 18 March 2024 Lloyd's List, syndicated account
- Yang Ming said the shipowner and maritime authorities were investigating the accident. Yang Ming, 18 March 2024
Narrative
YM Witness was berthing at Evyap Port in Turkey on 16 March 2024 when it contacted the pier and gantry cranes. Seaspan Ship Management stated that harbour tugs were assisting and that three cranes collapsed. The vessel was subsequently secured at the dock. Yang Ming, the charterer, described the event as a berthing accident and said navigation and seamanship were managed by the shipowner. Seaspan statement Yang Ming, 18 March 2024
Reports of the human consequences conflict. Seaspan stated that no injuries had been reported, and Yang Ming relayed the shipowner's account of no casualties. Lloyd's List nevertheless noted local reports of a seriously injured crane operator. No verified final casualty assessment has resolved that discrepancy. Seaspan statement Yang Ming, 18 March 2024 Lloyd's List, syndicated account
The owner described no visible fuel contamination but identified floating solid waste for cleanup by the port contractor. That distinction does not establish an absence of all environmental consequences. Seaspan stated that the cause was unknown, and Yang Ming announced inquiries involving the shipowner and maritime authorities. Neither statement establishes a machinery failure, pilot error, unsafe approach speed or tug deficiency. Seaspan statement Yang Ming, 18 March 2024
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024-03-16 | YM Witness contacted the pier and cranes while berthing with tug assistance; three cranes collapsed. Seaspan statement Yang Ming, 18 March 2024 |
| After the allision | The ship was secured at the dock and response resources were activated. Seaspan statement |
| 2024-03-18 | Yang Ming reported inquiries involving the shipowner and maritime authorities. Yang Ming, 18 March 2024 |
Investigation
Yang Ming's 18 March 2024 advisory stated that administrative inquiries and a full investigation were being conducted with the shipowner and relevant maritime authorities. Seaspan said the cause was unknown. No completed official casualty report or final causal findings have been identified. Seaspan statement Yang Ming, 18 March 2024
References
- Seaspan Ship Management, YM Witness incident at Evyap
- Yang Ming, Customer Advisory, 18 March 2024
- Lloyd's List, 18 March 2024, syndicated by Kuehne+Nagel
- Seatrade Maritime, Yang Ming container ship destroys cranes in Turkish port, 18 March 2024
- The Maritime Executive, YM containership docking accident, 16 March 2024