The Viking-Passama: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

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.