Volans Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has published an interim report shedding light on its active investigation into the dramatic breakaway of several vessels at the Port of Brisbane, which occurred on November 24, 2025. Due to hot and humid conditions across South East Queensland, the Bureau of Meteorology had issued essential marine forecasts, warning of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. As a precaution, the State Disaster Coordination Centre released a briefing on potential isolated thunderstorms with severe winds and large hail, prompting the regional harbour master to alert port stakeholders. On that fateful day, the incoming vehicle carrier 'Viking Passama' (IMO: 9491874) was in the process of approaching Fisherman Islands berth one, executing its mooring lines, as the storm front struck. Wind gusts soared to a staggering 71 knots, dislodging the vessel from its fenders and leading to the failure of both aft spring lines and the hydraulic control pipes of the aft winch. Consequently, the ship broke free entirely, drifting roughly 120 meters into the channel before tugs could assist in securing it back alongside. In a simultaneous incident, the 'Volans' experienced severe wind conditions that caused its aft mooring lines to snap, swinging the stern 135 degrees into the adjacent shipping channel while the bow remained secured by two headlines and a port anchor. Additionally, the container ship 'Wide India' (IMO: 9698252) also detached from its berth, its mooring lines parting with great force. With no Voyage Traffic Service (VTS) warning received, the vessel's master was informed by departing stevedores and managed to steer upriver utilizing the main engine, bow thruster, and a dredged starboard anchor, narrowly avoiding a collision with the stern of 'Volans'. Nearby, the 'MSC Barbara' (IMO: 9226932) likewise broke from its moorings as wind forces overwhelmed its winch brakes. The loss of control sent its mooring lines streaming across the channel, leaving it adrift and reliant on bow thruster navigation before running aground in the Koopa swing basin, inadvertently leaving behind six hatch cover pontoons on the quay. In response to the emergencies, the vessel traffic service activated emergency protocols to mobilize off-duty pilots and tug crews, although hazardous conditions, such as falling debris and large hail, initially obstructed their access to the port base. A pilot boarded the 'Wide India' at 4:14 p.m. to secure a tow line from an assisting tug, facilitating the vessel's safe turn towards the ship-to-ship anchorage. At 4:20 p.m., a pilot boarded 'Volans', employing two tugs to swing the vessel and re-secure it by 6:54 p.m. The 'MSC Barbara' saw two pilots come aboard at 4:25 p.m., successfully refloating the vessel by 5:16 p.m. with the help of three tugs. After a brief standoff over returning to the berth, the regional harbour master issued formal safety directions compelling 'MSC Barbara' to proceed to anchorage, where it safely anchored at 8:24 p.m. The ATSB noted that the storm led to widespread electrical outages in the region. Investigators also discovered that the automated identification systems on the moored vessels reported their positions only every three minutes due to their speeds being below three knots during the initial breakaway. The ATSB continues to analyze meteorological data, the condition of vessel mooring equipment, and the effectiveness of local emergency procedures as part of its comprehensive investigation.

On November 24, 2025, a powerful storm hit Brisbane, causing chaos at the port as four vessels broke free from their moorings amidst winds reaching 70 knots. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has initiated a thorough investigation into this maritime incident, aiming for completion in the second quarter of 2026. ATSB officials will scrutinize winches, mooring lines, and anchor arrangements, alongside gathering vital data from vessel traffic services, pilotage providers, and ship documentation. Additionally, interviews with vessel masters, pilots, and other stakeholders are set to take place. The affected ships include the container carrier 'Volans', chartered to COSCO for the JKN service between Asia and New Zealand via Brisbane, the 'Wide India' (IMO: 9698252), currently operating under Hapag-Lloyd’s SEA service from Southeast Asia to Australia, the 'MSC Barbara' (IMO: 9226932), serving MSC's Panda route from China, and the vehicle carrier 'Viking Passama' (IMO: 9491874). Fortunately, Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads reported no significant damage to the ships or infrastructure, with no injuries or pollution resulting from the incident. At approximately 3 p.m. local time, the 'Viking Passama' lost its grip on the wharf due to strong gales, causing four mooring lines to snap and the vessel to drift into the shipping channel. Two tugs were deployed to guide the ship back alongside after the winds calmed. Shortly thereafter, the 'MSC Barbara' also broke free, drifting across the channel and grounding on the muddy bottom of Morton Bay, east of Mud Island. Pilots quickly boarded and managed to refloat the vessel, bringing it to a safe anchorage for a hull inspection by divers. At that moment, the 'Wide India' experienced a similar fate, with its mooring lines breaking. The ship's captain kept it stable in the channel until pilots boarded to escort it to anchorage. In another incident, the 'Volans' partially broke away as its aft mooring lines failed, yet it managed to remain close to the wharf until it was safely repositioned. By the evening, all vessels were anchored, and the Port of Brisbane reopened for shipping activities. As of November 26, the 'MSC Barbara' remained in Brisbane, while the 'Volans' set sail that same day, heading towards Auckland with an estimated arrival date of November 26. The 'Viking Passama' departed on November 25, bound for Port Kembla with an ETA of November 29, and the 'Wide India' also left Brisbane on November 25, en route to Tanjung Pelapas and expected to arrive by December 8.

On June 16, 2021, the ZIM-operated container ship 'Volans' deftly unloaded its cargo in Prince Rupert, overcoming a protest aimed at blocking its docking. The vessel's arrival came just two days after it faced a blockade by demonstrators advocating for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Following its successful unloading, the 'Volans' departed on June 17, setting a course for Shanghai. A protest group known as 'Block the Boat' staged a picket outside the terminal entrance on June 14, attempting to halt the ship’s docking. This group had previously disrupted the 'Volans' at the Port of Oakland on June 4 and had engaged in similar protests across various ports including Vancouver and New York. Michael Mostyn, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, condemned these actions as 'deplorable' and characterized them as antisemitic. He highlighted, 'These attempts to block Israeli shipping to Canada are deplorable and fortunately, so far unsuccessful. In a clear case of antisemitism, extremists in various Western countries are targeting these vessels solely because they are linked to the Jewish State.' Anticipating the protests, B’nai Brith urged the Prince Rupert Port Authority on June 15 to ensure the continuity of trade and to keep the port accessible for Israeli shipping. They emphasized the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding Canada's ports from being paralyzed by such boycotts.

The 'Volans', a vessel operated by Haifa's Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., arrived at the Port of Oakland on June 4, 2021. However, the ship was soon redirected back into the sea after members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 10 refused to cross the picket line established by protesters seeking to unload its cargo. This incident marked the first arrival of a Zim container ship at Oakland's port in seven years. The demonstration was spearheaded by the San Francisco-based Arab Resource and Organizing Center, forming part of a broader 'Block the Boat' initiative aimed at voicing opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza. Similar protests were planned across various U.S. ports, including Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York, in a show of solidarity with the anti-Israel boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement. Although protesters decry Zim as a government entity of Israel, it's important to note that the company underwent privatization and restructuring a number of years ago. In response to the operational challenges and delays experienced in Oakland, Zim has announced plans to seek docking opportunities at other U.S. West Coast ports until further notice, though the announcement did not reference the ongoing protests.

In a recent development, Maersk has successfully finalized a new charter, marking a significant milestone in its trading operations. This charter spans a duration of 75 to 90 days, focusing on key routes between Asia and West Africa. Maersk has negotiated a daily rate of $13,500, reflecting the company's commitment to maintaining robust maritime trade links in these regions. This strategic move is expected to enhance Maersk's operational efficiency and further strengthen its market presence in both Asia and West Africa.