Cargo Ship Capsizes During Loading At Cement Port In Cebu, Snapped Mooring Line Kills Worker

A ship capsized while loading cargo at a cement port in Cebu in the central Philippines, leaving one dock worker dead while all 19 crew members on board were rescued.

The vessel, MV Theresa I, developed a list during de-ballasting operations at Berth 1 of APO Cement Port in Naga City, Cebu, on March 11, 2026. The ship eventually capsized while cargo loading was in progress.

The Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV) said the vessel was conducting loading operations when it started to tilt to one side.

The list occurred during de-ballasting, a normal marine procedure in which water is discharged from ballast tanks while cargo is being loaded.

Authorities said the sudden tilt caused cargo to shift, which led to the vessel capsizing at the berth.

During the incident, one engine crew member became trapped inside the ship’s engine room. Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard carried out rescue operations and were able to extract the crew member after about three hours. The seafarer received medical attention after being rescued.

Officials confirmed that all 19 crew members on board MV Theresa I were accounted for and safely evacuated.

However, a worker onshore died during the incident. Authorities said a cement handler working outside the vessel was struck by a mooring line that snapped as the ship capsized.

The injured worker was taken to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by doctors.

Authorities also took steps to prevent possible marine pollution. The Coast Guard deployed about 100 meters of oil spill boom around the capsized vessel as a precaution. Monitoring of the area is continuing to check for any signs of oil leakage.

The response operation involved several agencies, including personnel from the Coast Guard Sub-Station Naga, the Naga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and responders from APO Cement.

Coast Guard District Central Visayas Commander Rear Admiral Agapito Bibat said the Philippine Coast Guard continues to focus on maritime safety, emergency response, and protection of the marine environment while monitoring the situation at the port.

Authorities are continuing to assess the vessel and investigate the cause of the capsizing during cargo operations.

References: PNA, The Star