A crane malfunction at Yantian Port in southern China caused major disruptions on September 16, 2024, when a portion of the gantry crane collapsed onto the feeder vessel MSC Riona, which has a capacity of 1,730 TEUs. The incident, which occurred around 8:40 AM, led to several containers falling into the water, while others sustained damage on the ship and the dock. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Port and Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crane failure. The MSC Riona, built in 1998 and acquired by MSC in 2021, had just docked to begin container handling when a crane malfunction at Yantian Port led to the collapse. As a precaution, operations involving the MSC Riona and two similar gantry cranes have been suspended.
While the accident primarily affected Berth 2, other areas of the Yantian port complex remain fully operational. Early reports indicate that the crane arm collapsed during container handling. The port confirmed that no evidence points to the vessel’s involvement in the accident, although the MSC Riona had propulsion engine issues detected in May 2024, which were addressed during a follow-up inspection.
Operating routes between China, Singapore, and the Philippines, the MSC Riona was conducting its routine service at the time of the accident.
