Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Maersk-Nokwanda

In a significant operation carried out by the Portuguese Judicial Police, one of Portugal’s largest drug seizures took place aboard the Maersk Nokwanda, which was traveling from Manzanillo to Tanger-Med. Collaborating with the Portuguese Navy and Air Force, the vessel was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal. The operation, dubbed 'Skydrop', involved forces boarding the ship via helicopters. Upon boarding, authorities discovered two stowaways, an Italian and a Colombian, who were reportedly undocumented and believed to be part of the smuggling ring. Both men were arrested. In addition to the stowaways, more interviews were conducted with the crew, leading to the detainment of one individual, later identified as an Indian citizen. On August 4, the Navy escorted the Maersk Nokwanda to the Port of Sines, where authorities successfully offloaded an astounding five tons of cocaine. The police also seized navigational and transportation equipment believed to have been used in drug trafficking operations, including those intended for discarding overboard. The operation aimed to intercept this substantial quantity of narcotics before it could be transferred to smaller 'narco-boats' for further distribution in Europe. This proactive investigation stemmed from collaboration with the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre-Drugs and partnerships involving the UK’s National Crime Agency and Spain’s Policia Nacional. Tragically, shortly after the arrest of the crew member alongside the two stowaways, authorities discovered him deceased in his cell on August 5. The head of the police’s drug trafficking unit reported a finding of the individual hanging in confinement, where he was alone. It was confirmed that he possessed significant information about the drug smuggling operation, leading to intense scrutiny into the circumstances surrounding his death. The Maersk Nokwanda was released on August 5, with an estimated time of arrival for subsequent voyages set for August 8. For further details, including photos and video coverage of this operation, visit: 1. https://twitter.com/i/status/2085039789963649293 2. https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2026-08-04-pj-apreende-cocaina-no-porto-de-sines-num-porta-contentores-proveniente-do-panama-0a5a0197 3. https://oregioes.pt/pj-apreende-porta-contentores-com-cinco-toneladas-de-cocaina-a-bordo/

On March 2, 2019, at 8 a.m., the container vessel Safmarine Nokwanda, arriving from Yokohama, experienced a collision with the anchored ship Tianjin while attempting to berth at the Busan New Port International Container Terminal (PNIT). The incident resulted in a significant impact where Safmarine Nokwanda struck the stern of the secured Tianjin, leading to considerable cargo damage—several containers suffered crushing and collapse, and the stern of Tianjin experienced structural harm. Concurrently, Safmarine Nokwanda sustained damage to its bow, including a breach above the waterline. Following temporary repairs, the vessel departed Busan on March 3 at 1:45 a.m., setting a course for Shanghai, where it arrived on March 4 at 8:15 a.m. Permanent repair operations are scheduled to be finalized by the end of March. Meanwhile, the Tianjin exited the Busan port on March 3 at 3:40 p.m., bound for Balboa, with an estimated time of arrival on March 22. Additional details and photos of the incident can be found on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeVR69KsqUg) or in the full report on Nieuwsblad Transport [here](https://www.nieuwsbladtransport.nl/voorpagina/2019/03/04/fotos-aanvaring-containerschepen-safmarine-en-zim/).