Container Crane Knocked To The Ground At Dubai [Jebel Ali Port – 04 May 2017]

Container Crane Knocked To The Ground At Dubai [Jebel Ali Port – 04 May 2017]

Posted by on May 5, 2017 in Bulletins

Container Crane Knocked To The Ground At Dubai [Jebel Ali Port – 04 May 2017]

While database searches have revealed nothing at this point in time, Blueoceana Company has been made aware of an accident taking place at DP World’s Jebel Ali Terminal 1 wherein the UK flagged C/V CMA-CGM CENTAURUS (see photo below) struck and knocked-over a 6 month old container handling gantry crane during vessel berthing operations. Anecdotal information suggests that an adjacent crane was also damaged. We understand that no serious injuries were sustained by any shoreside personnel. Photographs we’ve obtained (see also below) show the vessel being assisted by at least three tug boats.

The Jebel Ali facilities are virtually bristling with container cranes. We estimate the population of ship-to-shore cranes there to be at or quite near three dozen.

When marginal wharves are actively populated by numerous vessels, bringing a large container ship to berth can present a rather tough choreography. C/V CMA-CGM CENTAURUS is a 10,000 + TEU, very large container vessel (VLCV). The coordination between the pilot, the tugs and the shipboard & shoreside line handlers must be fairly precise; with little room (literally and figuratively) for mistakes. Our understanding, is that the starboard side flare of C/V CMA-CGM CENTAURUS‘ bow breached into the envelope formed by the gantry crane’s waterside legs and made contact. The dominant forces were enough to bring the crane down, sever the upper part of its A-Frame and push it down the dock.

Miraculously (please note the position of the operations building, above right), the crane’s scattered components hurt no one. For that, we are very grateful . We do know, however, that yard tractors with trailers (likely bomb carts) were on the dock’s travel lanes at the time and can be clearly seen beneath the rubble formed in the accident’s aftermath (see photos below). Moreover, we’re made to understand that a corner of the crane’s machinery house crashed through the roof of a break room/rest room often utilized by shoreside staff.

This type of allision, while not an every day event, occurs with an alarming frequency at world ports. Given the attendant costs of not “getting it right” every time, we must wonder why more circumspect, failsafe care is not afforded to such a crucial undertaking. Given the increasing size of container ships, the situation, left as it is, can only get worse. Meanwhile, UK’s MAIB is “on it” (see below). That organization’s report will be of great interest.

 

Below, we provide links to a number of previous and contemporary incidents of the same (or of a very similar) nature:

 

Major Damage After COSCO Containership Crashes Into Crane at Egypt’s Port Said: Photos and Video

And finally, here’s a link to a video clip that shows a berthing operation gone bad at Guayaquil, Ecuador a few years ago:

Ship hits dockside crane._320x240_MOV

And the hits just keep coming!

M/V NEPTUNE THELISIS (060817)

 

UPDATE [08 May 2017]

Blueoceana Company is now in a position to offer a closed circuit video clip of the incident described above:

 

UPDATE [09 May 2017]

Reports now indicate that 10 employees at DP World’s Jebel Ali Terminal 1 facility were injured in this accident. Only one was hospitalized (with a broken arm and a broken leg); the balance were treated at the facility’s on-site clinic and were then released.

Coverage by GULF BUSINESS: Dubai’s DP World confirms 10 injured in ship accident at Jebel Ali port (050817)

UPDATE [22 May 2017]

Inevitably, the “blame game” has begun. Fortunately, the U.K. MAIB is conducting its investigation.

Coverage by PORT TECHNOLOGY: Finger Pointed in Jebel Ali Crane Collapse (052217)

UPDATE [09 January 2018]  Links To Those Allisions & Near Misses Newly Occurring and Those Found In The Archives: 

 

Video Clip: CMA CGM AFRICA THREE at Algiceras (030118)

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