Watch: Cargo Ship Hits Rotterdam Roadway Bridge, Containers Seen Floating In The River

A cargo ship collided with the Willemsbrug bridge in Rotterdam on September 11, 2024, in the morning, dropping five containers into the Maas River. This is the second collision between an inland cargo vessel and a Rotterdam bridge this year, causing major disruption on the busy river.

Residents near the River Maas said they heard a loud bang and scraping noise before witnessing MSC and Maersk shipping containers floating in the river.

According to the initial investigation, the captain of the unidentified vessel may have misinterpreted the bridge clearance or the height of the cargo load.

Videos published online showed the vessel half passing under the bridge when the containers hit the underside, causing them to fall into the river.

Willemsbrug. Alweer.. pic.twitter.com/qNYhJms07m

— Meijer (@joostm21) September 11, 2024

Video Credits: @joostm21/X

Some containers remained displaced on the ship’s deck. After the collision, the vessel continued on its journey.

Three of the five containers that fell into the river were floating toward the Van Brienenoord Bridge, and another vessel in the river was forced to make an emergency stop to avoid hitting them.

Three of the containers have since been recovered, but two have sunk. Officials are still monitoring the situation, and one of the sunken containers has been reported to have been found on the riverbed.

I look out of my window and I see this pic.twitter.com/LIlpNfrxRj

— Mikameel ᯅ (@augmentedcamel) September 11, 2024

Video Credits: @augmentedcamel/X

The vessel is now anchored in Noordereiland, and authorities are questioning the captain. Meanwhile, engineers are determining the extent of damage to the Willemsbrug bridge.

Initial reports say the bridge was damaged, but the severity has yet to be determined.

A representative for the harbour operator, Havenbedrijf Rotterdam, stated that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident.

The collision occurred around 8:45 a.m., and no casualties were reported.

Reference: Dutchnews

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