A ZIM-chartered containership suffered a serious cargo accident while alongside at the Port of Long Beach yesterday, with 67 containers falling into the harbour during discharging operations — some striking a clean air barge moored nearby. The accident involved the 2024-built, 5,504 teu Mississippi containership owned by MPC Container Ships. 

Terminal officials confirmed no injuries were reported, but several containers were damaged beyond recovery, while others sank in the harbour basin. A number of boxes landed on the clean air barge, a vessel used to supply shoreside power and emissions-reduction services, causing damage that is still being assessed.

The US Coast Guard has cordoned off the berth – Pier G –  and launched an investigation in coordination with the Long Beach Harbor Department. Early indications point to a crane malfunction as a possible trigger for the collapse, though this has yet to be confirmed.

In a statement, ZIM said it was “actively cooperating with local port authorities and relevant agencies to contain the situation and assess any potential environmental impact.”