How’s the clean-up going after dozens of cargo containers plunged into the water?
Over the weekend, dive teams and salvage crews pulled eight more shipping containers from the waters off Pier G, Port of Long Beach. It’s part of ongoing efforts to recover containers that went overboard when straps failed on the cargo ship Mississippi.
Fast Facts: The Incident & Aftermath
- The Mississippi had just arrived from Yantian, China when the mishap occurred. Old securing straps loosened, triggering a “domino effect” that sent approximately 75 containers overboard. As of Sunday, about 30 remain submerged.
- No injuries have been reported. Authorities swiftly stopped cargo operations at Pier G to allow for clean-up and safety inspections.
Cargo & Commercial Impacts
- Some of the containers landed on the STAX 2, an anti-pollution barge stationed alongside the ship. Contents included consumer goods like shoes, clothing, and electronics bound for US retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Costco. Fortunately, most containers didn’t rupture, though merchandise was spotted floating near the spill.
- The salvage work involves securing loose containers, stabilising the ship, and clearing obstructions. The Port is working to resume full terminal operations while ensuring safety protocols are followed.
Voices from the Response
“Although this incident was at one berth at the Port, we will continue to act with caution as we recover containers and restore full operations at the Pier G terminal as quickly and safely as possible.”
— Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero
Gary Herrera, from the dockworkers’ union, added: workers won’t set foot on any ship segment deemed unsafe.
For port authorities, logistics firms, and shipping safety experts—this incident again underscores the importance of secure lashings, rapid response systems, and strict safety oversight. I can help map out best practices or coordinate a risk advisory summary.
Would you like a visual timeline of the incident or a technical analysis of how container securing failures happen?
