A large containership has arrived at the Port of Long Beach after losing containers in heavy weather in the North Pacific, triggering a response from the US Coast Guard.

Officials said the Hong Kong-flagged OOCL Sunflower shed 32 containers overboard while sailing south of the Aleutian Islands on March 3, with a further 57 units left damaged or displaced on deck following the incident.

A 100-yard safety zone has been put in place around the ship as discharge operations begin and inspectors board to assess cargo condition and structural impact. No injuries or pollution have been reported.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the crew was unable to complete a full assessment at sea due to safety risks in rough conditions, with a detailed survey now underway in port. Early checks found no evidence of hazardous material release or damage below the waterline.

Operated by Orient Overseas Container Line, the 16,828 teu vessel is one of the carrier’s newest units, delivered in January 2025 from Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co and forms part of a new generation of ultra-large boxships deployed on Asia–US routes.

The incident occurred during a transpacific voyage from Kaohsiung to Long Beach. The ship had encountered severe weather in the North Pacific, a region known for heavy seas that can trigger dangerous rolling and cargo shifts on large container vessels. The company told Splash at the time that the ship remained seaworthy and that it was working with authorities, terminal operators and specialist service providers on inspection, stabilization, and follow‑up actions.

The scale of the cargo impact is still being determined, with authorities reviewing the vessel’s manifest to identify any potentially hazardous goods and assess whether further response measures are required.

The case comes as the industry adjusts to tighter reporting rules introduced this year by the International Maritime Organization, requiring shipowners to notify coastal and flag states of container losses and warn nearby traffic.

While such incidents still occur, overall container losses at sea have been trending lower. Data from the liner lobby group World Shipping Council shows 576 containers were lost in 2024, well below the 10-year average.