ONE Continuity Loses 45 Containers Overboard South of the Canary Islands

The mega-container ship ONE Continuity has lost around 45 containers overboard after encountering severe weather south of the Canary Islands, forcing the vessel to divert to Las Palmas for emergency cargo operations.

The Singapore-flagged containership, operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE) and owned by Seaspan, declared an emergency on 10 December during its Atlantic crossing after powerful waves caused significant cargo instability at the stern. The 2008-built vessel, carrying more than 16,000 containers on a voyage from Le Havre to Singapore, altered course and sought shelter at the Port of La Luz, docking at Boluda’s terminal.

Initial assessments indicate that nearly 100 containers were destabilised when heavy seas caused multiple stacks to shift. Of these, approximately 45 containers fell into the ocean, while several others were crushed after collapsing within the stow. An aerial drone inspection, carried out at the request of the shipowner, showed that around ten container rows at the stern had collapsed.

Local authorities confirmed that the containers lost overboard were empty, reducing the environmental risk. Maximiliano Díaz, president of the dockworkers’ union, told Radio Televisión Canaria that the lack of cargo weight contributed to the incident, stating that the containers were torn free by the force of the waves.

A complex recovery and re-lashing operation is now under way, involving specialised personnel, crane operators, welders and lashing experts. Dockworkers are removing damaged containers from twisted securing gear and lowering them safely ashore, while repairs are also planned to address damage to the vessel’s mooring equipment.

Once cargo stability is restored and repairs are completed, ONE Continuity is expected to resume its voyage to Asia.

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