On Monday, a significant incident at the port of Keelung involved a heavy lift vessel accidentally toppling an existing container crane while delivering a new one, highlighting the risks associated with maritime operations.
The mishap occurred around 1400 hours when the heavy lift ship Yuzhou Qi Hang docked at Pier 20 with a brand-new STS crane. As the vessel maneuvered into position, the top of the new crane collided with the old STS crane stationed on the wharf. The force of the newly delivered crane pushed the older structure backward, causing it to teeter on one set of rail wheels before ultimately toppling over. Unlike typical crane accidents, the old crane’s structure remained intact until it hit the ground.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from this Keelung port incident, and damage to other port infrastructure was limited. An estimated four empty containers and one full container were struck during the accident, prompting temporary suspension of operations in the terminal area for safety assessments.
According to Taiwanese news outlet ET Today, the estimated cost to replace the fallen crane exceeds $40 million. The port operator and the vessel operator are in discussions with their insurers to determine liability for the damages incurred.
Taiwan’s transport regulators were on-site to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
