Cargo ship suffers epic losses after 2,000 containers topple over during a storm en route to Japan 

Cargo ship suffers epic losses after 2,000 containers topple over during a storm en route to Japan

  • Containership, ONE Apus, arrived at the Port of Kobe, Japan, on Tuesday 
  • It lost 1,816 cargo containers 1,600 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii  
  • The ship reportedly encountered 52-foot waves during its journey 

A cargo ship lost 1,816 containers after they toppled overboard during a storm en route to Japan in what is believed to be the biggest weather-related cargo loss in history.

The containership, ONE Apus, arrived at the Port of Kobe, Japan, on Tuesday after an eight-day journey from the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

A full safety inspection is currently underway to discover the full extent of the damage.  

A cargo ship (pictured, ONE Apus) lost 1,816 containers after they toppled overboard during a storm en route to Japan in what is believed to be the biggest weather-related cargo loss in history

The storm hit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and the containers were lost 1,600 nautical miles (1841 miles) northwest of Hawaii. 

Some 64 dangerous goods containers were lost, alongside 54 with fireworks, eight with batteries and two with liquid ethanol.  

The ship reportedly encountered 52-foot waves during its journey and a ‘long high swell’. 

ONE Apus is a 1,194-foot cargo ship which can hold 14,000 containers roughly measuring 20 feet each. 

The containership, ONE Apus, arrived at the Port of Kobe, Japan, on Tuesday after an eight-day journey from the middle of the Pacific Ocean

The containership, ONE Apus, arrived at the Port of Kobe, Japan, on Tuesday after an eight-day journey from the middle of the Pacific Ocean

A full safety inspection is currently underway to discover the full extent of the damage

A full safety inspection is currently underway to discover the full extent of the damage

The storm hit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and the containers were lost 1,600 nautical miles (1841 miles) northwest of Hawaii

The storm hit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and the containers were lost 1,600 nautical miles (1841 miles) northwest of Hawaii

It is operated by Ocean Network Express on the Far East Pacific 2 Service. 

Its cargo loss is believed to be the biggest weather-related cargo loss in history.  

The owners and managers of the ship said, ‘The vessel’s operational equipment, cargo gear, and propulsion machinery are in good condition and the officers and ratings are highly motivated, experienced, loyal and well-trained seafarers,’ according to G Captain.  

‘The root cause analysis and full investigation will look at all aspects of the situation, including the vessel’s routing, loading, equipment and fitness for purpose in very extreme weather. We must ensure no such loss occurs again.’