The Viking-Passama: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

A recent interim report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has revealed a dramatic incident involving the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) 'Viking Passama', which drifted over 100 meters from its designated berth at the Port of Brisbane due to hurricane-force winds on November 18, 2025. The incident occurred as the vessel was completing its berthing maneuver at Fisherman Islands, just before a fast-moving thunderstorm hit the area. In anticipation of rapid wind changes, the pilot had directed two tugs to apply force against the berth, but they were soon overwhelmed by gusts exceeding 70 knots (130 km/h). As the vessel was pushed away from the quay, the extreme wind pressure caused spring lines to snap, leading to hydraulic pipework damage and the disabling of aft mooring winches. Despite the tugs operating at full power, the remaining mooring lines also succumbed to the forces, causing the 'Viking Passama' to drift approximately 120 meters into the navigation channel. Thankfully, the situation improved once the winds subsided, allowing the tugs to regain control and guide the vessel back alongside the berth, though one tug remained connected due to the damaged mooring equipment. This incident was part of a broader weather emergency at the Port of Brisbane, where four vessels broke free amid the severe thunderstorm. Among them, three container ships lost all mooring lines, resulting in one grounding, while emergency assistance for some vessels faced delays due to road flooding and traffic congestion that hindered pilot and tug crew access. The ATSB's interim report outlined the sequence of events and the escalating weather conditions leading to these breakaways, noting that severe thunderstorm warnings were issued throughout the afternoon, prompting high-windage vessels to deploy additional mooring lines.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has published an interim report as part of its comprehensive investigation into the breakaway of several vessels at the Port of Brisbane, which occurred on November 24, 2025. The incident unfolded amidst hot and humid weather conditions in Southeast Queensland, prompting the Bureau of Meteorology to issue dire marine forecasts predicting severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. In response to this alert, the State Disaster Coordination Centre circulated a warning about the possibility of isolated, hazardous thunderstorms capable of producing destructive winds and large hail, leading the regional harbour master to notify port stakeholders. At the time of the storm's onset, the 'Viking Passama' was making its approach, navigating past the mooring lines at Fisherman Islands berth one. When the storm front struck, extreme wind gusts exceeding 71 knots dislodged the vessel from its fenders, causing both aft spring lines to snap and the aft winch hydraulic control pipes to rupture. Consequently, the vessel broke entirely free from its mooring, drifting approximately 120 meters into the shipping channel before tugs could intervene and safely guide it back to its berth. The tempest also affected another container vessel, the m/v 'Volans' (IMO: 9430777), whose aft mooring lines were severed, resulting in the stern being swung 135 degrees into the adjacent shipping channel while the bow remained tethered by two headlines and the port anchor. Meanwhile, the m/v 'Wide India' (IMO: 9698252) fully broke free from its berth as its lines violently parted. The master, alerted by departing stevedores, adeptly maneuvered the vessel using the main engine, bow thruster, and a dredged starboard anchor, narrowly avoiding collision with 'Volans'. Simultaneously, the container ship 'MSC Barbara' (IMO: 9226932) was not spared, breaking loose from its moorings due to the extreme winds compromising its winch brakes. As it was forced away from the berth, its mooring lines unraveled across the channel, rendering the vessel without effective main engine propulsion and drifting northward while relying solely on its bow thruster for minimal steering control. Eventually, it ran aground at the Koopa swing basin, leaving behind six hatch cover pontoons on the quay. In the wake of the incident, the vessel traffic service initiated emergency protocols to mobilize off-duty pilots and tug crews, although their movement was impeded by falling debris and large hail. A pilot managed to board the 'Wide India' at 4:14 p.m., securing a tow line from an assisting tug to safely navigate the vessel to the ship-to-ship anchorage. Another pilot boarded 'Volans' at 4:20 p.m. and, with the aid of two tugs, successfully re-secured it to its berth by 6:54 p.m. The 'MSC Barbara' had two pilots boarding at 4:25 p.m., who successfully refloated the vessel by 5:16 p.m. utilizing three tugs. After a brief negotiation regarding the vessel's return to berth, the regional harbour master issued two formal safety directions that necessitated the vessel's move to anchorage, where it safely anchored at 8:24 p.m. The ATSB report revealed that the storm led to extensive electrical outages in the region. Investigators also noted that the automated identification systems of the moored vessels recorded position updates at three-minute intervals due to their sluggish speed during the initial stage of the breakaway. The Bureau continues to analyze meteorological data, vessel mooring equipment, and the effectiveness of local emergency protocols to conclude the investigation.

On November 24, 2025, a severe storm with wind gusts reaching up to 70 knots caused chaos at the Port of Brisbane, resulting in four vessels breaking free from their moorings. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has initiated an investigation into the incident, expected to conclude by the second quarter of 2026. The ATSB's examination will cover winches and equipment, including mooring lines and anchor configurations, alongside gathering key evidence such as recorded data, documents from the affected vessels, and insights from vessel traffic services and pilotage providers. Investigators will also conduct interviews with ship masters, pilots, and other relevant stakeholders. Among the ships affected were the container vessels 'Volans' (IMO: 9430777), chartered to COSCO for the JKN service between Asia and New Zealand via Brisbane, the 'Wide India' (IMO: 9698252), currently on charter to Hapag-Lloyd for their SEA service connecting Southeast Asia to Australia, the 'MSC Barbara' (IMO: 9226932), operating MSC's Panda service from China, and the 'Viking Passama.' Fortunately, no significant damage to the ships or port infrastructure has been reported, with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads confirming no injuries or pollution incidents. The 'Viking Passama' was in the process of berthing around 3 p.m. local time when strong winds pushed it away from the dock, resulting in the failure of four mooring lines and forcing the ship into the center of the shipping channel. Two tugs quickly responded, assisting in returning the ship alongside once the winds eased. Shortly afterward, the 'MSC Barbara' lost its mooring lines, drifting across the channel and grounding on the muddy bottom of Moreton Bay near Mud Island. Pilots successfully boarded the vessel, which was later refloated and guided to an anchorage outside the harbor for hull inspection by divers. Meanwhile, the 'Wide India' also broke free when its mooring lines snapped, maintaining its position in the channel until pilots boarded to guide it to safety. The 'Volans' partially detached from its berth as well, but thanks to remaining lines, it stayed close to the wharf and was repositioned without incident. Following these events, all vessels were anchored, and the Port of Brisbane reopened for shipping operations later that evening. As of November 26, the 'MSC Barbara' remained stationary in the port, while the 'Volans' set sail on November 24 toward Auckland, with an estimated arrival on November 26. The 'Viking Passama' departed on November 25 heading for Port Kembla, expecting to arrive by November 29, while the 'Wide India' left Brisbane on November 25 bound for Tanjung Pelapas with an ETA of December 8.