Cma-Cgm-Florida Vessel Reviews and Specifications

An investigation into the collision between the bulker Chou Shan and the boxship CMA CGM Florida (IMO: 9676008) on March 19, 2013, reveals significant miscommunication and protocol violations that contributed to the incident. Occurring at 00:33 hours in the East China Sea, the collision resulted in a catastrophic spill of 610 tonnes of fuel oil and the damage or loss of 263 cargo containers. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch's report details how CMA CGM Florida altered its course to avoid a group of fishing vessels, minimizing the distance to under 0.1 nautical miles. This unfortunate maneuver created a risk of collision with Chou Shan, which had the right of way as Florida was to cross from port to starboard. During a VHF radio exchange, the officer of the watch aboard Chou Shan requested that CMA CGM Florida navigate around its stern. However, utilizing VHF communication to prevent a collision contradicts established maritime best practices, particularly as the pre-agreed course violated Rule 15 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs). This rule mandates that the vessel with another on its starboard side must give way, placing the responsibility squarely on Chou Shan. The radio conversation was conducted in Mandarin, leading to further confusion as Florida's second officer, who responded, did not speak the language, unlike the Filipino officer on watch. This language barrier contributed to misunderstandings regarding the agreed-upon course, resulting in confusion as the two ships approached each other at speed. The collision caused severe damage to CMA CGM Florida's port side, affecting its cargo holds, accommodation block, fuel tanks, and lifeboat, while Chou Shan suffered significant bow damage, although thankfully, no casualties were reported on either vessel. In light of this incident, both CMA CGM and Sincere Navigation have implemented measures aimed at enhancing safety protocols to prevent future occurrences, emphasizing the critical need for clear communication in maritime operations.

The Shanghai maritime authorities are diligently addressing the oil spill that occurred northeast of the Yangtze River's mouth, following the collision of the 'CMA CGM Florida' with the Panama-flagged bulk carrier 'Chou Shan' (IMO No.: 9296963) on March 19. As of now, significant progress has been made in the cleanup operation, with most of the leaked fuel from the 'CMA CGM Florida' successfully removed. The container vessel remains anchored at the Yangshan port, awaiting comprehensive inspections and requisite repair work. Full repairs must be completed before the ship can proceed to unload its cargo. The incident resulted in the discharge of approximately 674 cubic meters of fuel, roughly 124 nautical miles from the Yangtze River. While some containers aboard the British flagged ship were impacted and displaced due to the collision, those containing hazardous materials remained intact. The 'CMA CGM Florida' was transporting over 1,500 containers, 76 of which held dangerous goods.

An unfortunate incident occurred at the estuary of the Yangtze River in Shanghai when two foreign cargo vessels collided, resulting in a significant oil spill early on March 19, 2013. According to local maritime authorities, approximately 674 cubic meters of fuel leaked from the British-registered container ship, CMA CGM FLORIDA, contaminating waters over a stretch of 124 nautical miles. Rescue teams and maritime assessors were on site, working diligently to evaluate the extent of the leak and potential environmental impact from the spill. The CMA CGM FLORIDA collided with the Panamanian-registered Capesize bulk carrier, Chou Shan, early in the morning. Post-collision reports indicated that one of the cabins on the CMA CGM FLORIDA took on water, and some containers were either damaged or shifted due to the force of the impact. However, maritime officials confirmed that hazardous materials onboard remained secure. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries related to this maritime accident.