According to reports from Taiwanese media, a ship collision accident occurred at Pier 77 of Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan Province on April 1.

The British-flagged container ship ZEAL LUMOS was preparing to depart the port at around 11:00 a.m. on April 1. During the vessel’s turning maneuver, duty officers at the Navigation Control Center of Kaohsiung Port Branch radioed the pilot to warn that the stern of the ZEAL LUMOS was approaching the Panama-flagged container ship HAIAN OPUS, which was berthed at Pier 77. Unexpectedly, the ZEAL LUMOS collided with the starboard side of the HAIAN OPUS shortly afterward, causing four containers on the HAIAN OPUS to fall into the water.

No casualties were reported in the incident. The Port Branch stated that no oil spill occurred. It has notified the Southern Navigation Center of the Maritime and Port Bureau, the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB), and the pier operator, and has preserved relevant navigation records for investigation by the above authorities.

Kaohsiung Port Branch noted that the British container ship ZEAL LUMOS was declared outbound by the pilot at 11:00 on April 1, with two tugboats (one of 6,400 horsepower and one of 5,400 horsepower) assigned to assist in towing. The vessel reported leaving the berth at 11:37 and planned to turn around for departure.

Duty staff at the Navigation Control Center had radioed the pilot to alert him that the stern of the ZEAL LUMOS was nearing the Panama-flagged HAIAN OPUS berthed at Pier 77, and instructed the ZEAL LUMOS to take immediate evasive action.

However, at 12:03, the Navigation Control Center reported that the ZEAL LUMOS had collided with the starboard hull of the HAIAN OPUS, causing four containers to drop into the waters off Pier 77. The ZEAL LUMOS was ordered to return and berth at Pier 110 to cooperate with follow-up investigations by relevant authorities.

As the four overboard containers blocked the fairway and endangered vessel traffic, Kaohsiung Port Branch restricted vessel movements at the Second Harbor at 12:03. It requested the nearby working vessel Fengcheng 8 to tow the four floating containers to the shore at Pier 78. After an assessment confirmed no navigational hazards, vessel traffic at the Second Harbor resumed at 12:30.

To ensure the safety of the port fairway, Kaohsiung Port Branch said it has notified Hanjin Ocean Transportation to strengthen the lashing and securing of containers aboard the HAIAN OPUS.

Fortunately, there were no casualties and no oil spill. Relevant navigation data, communication records, and marine meteorological information have been preserved and reported to the Southern Navigation Center of the Maritime and Port Bureau, the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board, and the pier operator for reference.