Read Authentic Ratings for the Msc-Ines

On August 5, 2025, a crew member aboard the 'MSC Ines,' which was traveling from Antwerp to Valencia, required urgent medical assistance while positioned approximately 70 nautical miles west-northwest of the Sisargas Islands. In response to the emergency, the CCS Fisterra unit of Salvamento Marítimo dispatched the SAR helicopter Helimer 402 to facilitate the medical evacuation. The patient was subsequently airlifted and transported to Alvedro for further treatment at a hospital.

The container vessel MSC Ines has been anchored at the New Pier Container Terminal in Durban since October 10, 2017, after it ran aground amid fierce winds. As of March 16, 2018, the ship remains docked, with repairs still on hold due to the awaited arrival of essential replacement parts. The grounding incident caused damage to the ship's rudder, necessitating these parts for the completion of the repair work.

The 'MSC Ines,' currently docked at the New Pier Container Terminal in Durban Harbour, remains incapacitated due to damage to its transom, rudder, and propeller. This vessel is too large to navigate through the Maydon Channel for necessary repairs. Following a significant storm on October 10, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) mandated the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to conduct a pollution assessment in the harbour related to cargo loss. Reports have indicated that millions of plastic nurdles have contaminated beaches stretching several hundred kilometers—from Zululand in the north down to Port St Johns in the south. It has been confirmed that several containers were dislodged from MSC ships during the storm, leading to substantial pollution. A total of five ships lost their moorings; four were moved by the winds, causing two to run aground on nearby sandbanks while the other two, both MSC container vessels, drifted into open waters—and collided with other vessels and quaysides in the process. The 'MSC Ines' ended up grounded across the harbour entrance channel, effectively obstructing maritime traffic. As the chaos unfolded, multiple containers and straddle carriers fell into Durban Bay. One such container from the 'MSC Ines' was found to be filled with plastic nurdles, some of which ruptured upon hitting the water. Although the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) initiated a clean-up operation that successfully retrieved several nurdle packets, many were drawn away by strong winds and currents, ultimately making their way into the sea. Containment measures have been implemented to secure remaining bags of nurdles while additional strategies are in place to manage organic debris washed into the harbour. The pressing concern regarding the nurdles stems from their potential to absorb toxic substances and their misleading resemblance to fish eggs, which could attract marine life. SAMSA will oversee the ongoing clean-up efforts, while MSC collaborates with cargo owners to address the plastic pollution specifics. A beach survey conducted with a SAMSA-accredited service provider from Umhlanga on the North Coast to Umkomaas on the South Coast revealed a minimal presence of plastic pellets near the high-water mark. The joint response team has established an aggressive cleaning strategy with a defined search pattern to tackle the nurdle situation. MSC has publicly acknowledged its responsibility for the clean-up and has engaged a contractor to expedite these efforts. SAMSA has actively monitored the extent of pollution in the harbour and surrounding coastal regions. Last week, a meeting was held with local authorities, including the Harbour Master, Pollution Control Department, the Department of Environmental Affairs, as well as the KZN Provincial Government and KZN Wildlife, to strategize a response. On October 26, the two missing containers were located, and plans to retrieve them are in place pending favorable weather. A damage assessment team has been dispatched to evaluate the impact both north and south of the affected area. Local municipalities are to be kept in the loop to ensure that the surveillance teams have access to the beaches for thorough inspections.

In the aftermath of a severe storm that swept through Durban, the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) successfully managed to free the cargo vessel 'MSC Ines' from the entrance channel, with no pollution incidents reported. However, the ship sustained significant rudder damage that necessitates immediate repairs before it can continue its journey. On October 15, 'MSC Ines' was securely docked at the City Terminal. In a stroke of luck, the tanker 'Bow Triumph' ran aground in the sheltered bay of Island View after breaking free from its moorings and drifting onto the sandy shores of Salisbury Island. Thankfully, the vessel settled on soft sand, preventing any hull breaches. Meanwhile, the 'MSC Susanna' was also guided to the City Terminal, where it was berthed at the T-Jetty for an underwater inspection after colliding with other vessels during the storm. Following the assessment, 'MSC Susanna' returned to berth 108/9 to resume cargo operations on October 15. The freight ship 'SM New York,' which had also broken free from its moorings and grounded on a nearby sandbank, completed its cargo operations and set sail on October 14 for Port Elizabeth, arriving the next day. At Island View, the 'Bow Triumph' continued to work on its cargo before heading to Fujairah. Several vessels reported damage, including the 'Maersk Vallvik,' which was docked at the C berth of the Ro-Ro and MPT Terminal. The French Navy frigate 'Floreal' had to postpone its scheduled departure due to notable damage along its starboard hull, while minor dents and paint marks were observed on the port side. Following a comprehensive survey of Durban Bay, authorities confirmed that all navigable areas were safe, allowing shipping activities in the Port of Durban to resume normal operations on October 13, just three days after one of the most destructive storms in recent history. The marine teams at Transnet National Ports Authority received accolades for their exemplary response to the unforeseen and intense weather challenge. The storm struck with sudden intensity, dramatically reducing visibility and generating wind gusts of up to 91 knots, accompanied by torrential rainfall of 100 to 200mm within a brief two-hour period across the southern regions of the city, including the port. The quayside sustained significant damage, with numerous facilities affected by flooding; the Transnet School of Excellence near the Durban Container Terminal and cargo handling equipment at TPT's Pier 1 and Pier 2 terminals were among those impacted. Reports indicated damage to essential cargo infrastructure across the Bulk, Break-bulk, and Car Durban Terminals, including eight Ship-to-Shore cranes and three rubber tyre gantries (RTGs). Additionally, several containers were swept into the bay due to the storm's fury.