Read Authentic Ratings for the Maersk-Makutu

The aftermath of the tempestuous storm that struck Port Botany on Tuesday night has led to the scheduled departure of three ships: Kiel Express, Safmarine Makutu, and OOCL Hong Kong. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has confirmed that all vessels were fitted with standard mooring lines and equipment suitable for their respective types, ensuring adherence to maritime safety protocols. As these ships ready to leave Australian waters, the incident raises important questions regarding safety measures during severe weather conditions.

On the night of October 14, 2023, Port Botany in Sydney witnessed a near-catastrophe as a fierce super storm unleashed winds of 126 km/h, equivalent to category 2 cyclonic strength. The extreme weather conditions resulted in the mooring lines of the 67,000-ton container ship, OOCL Hong Kong, snapping, leading to a series of chaotic events. In a harrowing turn of events, the Hapag-Lloyd vessel, Kiel Express, broke free from its moorings shortly before 9:30 PM and collided first with the OOCL Hong Kong, causing significant complications. Jason Sellars, a seasoned chief engineer with nearly 30 years in the maritime sector, described the scene as extraordinary, saying, "I've never witnessed anything like this in my career." He humorously added, "The only thing we were missing was George Clooney; it felt like The Perfect Storm." The intense operation to stabilize the situation lasted approximately nine hours and mobilized six tugboats. The Kiel Express's stern crashed into the stationary Safmarine Makutu, creating a tense moment where one of the tugs faced being trapped between the two vessels. Chaos escalated when another tugboat became immobilized after its propellers tangled with a mooring line freed from the OOCL Hong Kong. Fortunately, thanks to the quick thinking of the tug operators and ship pilots, major damage was avoided. However, the OOCL Hong Kong is now undergoing repairs after its stern was damaged against the dock when it swung free, underscoring the severe impact of the unexpected storm.

A maritime incident occurred late on October 2, 2013, when the container vessel 'Pices' collided with the 'Safmarine Makutu' near the western shores of Shikoku, Japan. The 'Safmarine Makutu' was on its voyage from Osaka to Busan at the time of the accident. Thankfully, the crews of both ships—comprising 13 members on the 'Pices' and 21 on the 'Safmarine Makutu'—sustained no injuries. Fortunately, both vessels did not sustain significant damage and were able to proceed with their operations post-incident. Authorities are currently conducting investigations to determine the circumstances leading to the collision and who may bear responsibility.