MSC, Maersk multiple cargo containers overboard! A cargo barge accidentally hit the bridge
A cargo barge collided with the Willems Bridge in Rotterdam, causing five containers to fall into the Maas River. This is the second inland cargo vessel collision with a Rotterdam bridge this year, leading to a major disruption of the busy river traffic.
The collision occurred around 8:45 AM local time on Wednesday, September 11. Residents near the Maas River reported hearing a loud bang and scraping sounds. Preliminary investigations revealed that the bridge was indeed damaged, but the extent of the damage is still unclear. Engineers on-site are assessing the bridge to determine the full extent of the damage. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Media showed MSC and Maersk containers floating downstream. According to Rotterdam Port operator Havenbedrijf, three containers have already been recovered, while two others have sunk. Other reports mentioned that one more container was later retrieved.
Some containers reportedly remained on the ship’s deck. After the collision, the vessel continued its journey.
Footage posted online showed the ship passing halfway under the bridge when the containers struck the underside, causing them to fall into the river.
According to Dutch media, the ship is currently docked at Noordereiland, and the captain is under investigation. A spokesperson from the Port of Rotterdam Authority speculated that the captain may have misjudged the height of the bridge.
The most unusual aspect of this incident is that, despite the thunderous crash when the ship struck the bridge, it did not stop. This was confirmed by both video footage of the incident and eyewitness accounts provided to local media.
This is the second time this year a ship has collided with a Rotterdam bridge. In March, an inland vessel became stuck under the Willems Bridge, causing at least two containers to fall into the waterway. The ship was only freed several hours later when the water level receded.
