ATSB Releases Interim Report On Maersk Shekou’s Crash Into Berthed Tall Ship

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released an interim report detailing the events leading up to the collision between the container ship Maersk Shekou and the berthed tall ship STS Leeuwin II at Fremantle’s Victoria Quay on 30 August 2024.

The Maersk Shekou, a 333 meter long container vessel registered in Singapore, had been anchored offshore Fremantle for eight days prior to the incident.

The delay was due to a combination of industrial action at the port followed by poor weather conditions.

On the morning of the accident, just before 5:00 am, two harbour pilots boarded the vessel to guide it to its assigned berth in the inner harbour.

As the vessel began its southerly approach, it encountered strong wind gusts of up to 50 knots coming from the southwest, directly at the ship’s bow.

An hour later, the ship entered port with three tugs connected assist in its maneuvering.

However, persistent winds from the starboard quarter made it difficult to maintain the intended course, requiring up to 30 degrees of port helm to counteract the drift.

As the ship’s bow aligned with South Mole, the pilot instructed a course of 083 degrees. At this point, the last tug was being secured on the vessel’s starboard shoulder, and the Shekou was moving at around 7.5 knots.

Video Credits: atsbgovau/YouTube

Despite applying hard port rudder, the ship was turning at just 1 degree per minute to starboard, struggling to stay on course.

The pilot ordered the engine to full ahead to correct the heading. With assistance from the tugs, the vessel began turning from 087 degrees to 086 degrees.

However, in an unexpected move and without confirmation from the pilot, the helmsman applied 30 degrees of starboard helm to stop the turn and steady the ship on the earlier commanded course of 083 degrees.

Fifteen seconds later, the lead pilot realised the vessel was veering off track with the STS Leeuwin II directly ahead. The turn to port had not continued as needed to navigate the bend.

The tug stationed at the starboard shoulder had to pull away to avoid being crushed between the ship and the quay.

Seconds later, the Maersk Shekou’s starboard bow struck the Leeuwin, causing severe damage and dismasting the tall ship. The two crew members onboard managed to evacuate safely using the gangway just as the impact occurred.

The vessel’s outermost container stack then hit the roof of the Western Australian Maritime Museum as the ship’s starboard quarter continued swinging into the wharf.

Eventually, the vessel was brought back under control within the inner harbour and moved to its berth. So far, the ATSB has interviewed the vessel’s master and crew, both pilots, tug operators, and port authority staff.

Investigators have also reviewed bridge recordings, communication logs, port operation procedures, weather data, and ship documentation.

The interim report does not contain any analysis or conclusions.

However, the ongoing investigation will examine several aspects, including pilot and crew decisions, bridge resource management, the ship’s safety systems, and Fremantle’s port and pilotage procedures.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated that a final report with safety findings will be released upon conclusion of the investigation.

He added that if any critical safety issues are found during the process, relevant authorities would be notified immediately so that timely action can be taken.

For the full report, click https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2025/report/mo-2024-001

Reference: ATSB

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