Cover image: ©Port of Vigo
The Portuguese-flagged container vessel MSC Houston V lost at least 15 containers in the Atlantic Ocean during rough weather off the coast of Portugal.
The ship had departed on 20 March from Piraeus, Greece, and was en route to Liverpool.
The MSC Houston V encountered extreme conditions as Storm Martinho lashed the waters off Cape St Vincent, with wind gusts reaching up to 48 knots.
The severe weather caused several containers to collapse, leaving some hanging precariously over the vessel’s starboard side near the stern.
In response, the containership sought refuge at the Port of Vigo, Spain, arriving on the morning of 21 March, to assess the damage and stabilise the cargo.
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The Port of Vigo authorities confirmed the vessel’s unscheduled arrival, noting: “Following approval from the Maritime Authority, we docked it at the Container Terminal early this morning.”
Due to the complexity of the cargo stabilisation operation, terminal officials removed cranes from the immediate area and deployed a mobile crane to ensure the safety of port workers and the terminal.
Currently berthed at Vigo’s Termavi container terminal, the MSC Houston V remains under inspection as local authorities and the vessel’s crew work to stabilise the cargo.
While no timeline has been confirmed for the operation, the port emphasized that the ship is docked and there is no risk to navigation, especially for fishing vessels.
Further assessments are underway to determine the condition of the remaining containers and their cargo.
This figure marks the lowest total since the survey began in 2008.
Despite this improvement, the WSC emphasizes the need for strict safety measures and continuous vigilance.
