Maritime Safety Alert: 46 Containers Fall Overboard From Cargo Ship off Philippines
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has issued a maritime safety warning to vessels operating off Batangas after 46 empty containers fell overboard from the cargo ship MV Span Asia 39 on September 3. The incident has prompted a marine navigation hazard response as authorities work to locate and recover the containers floating in waters near Hamilo Point, Nasugbu, Batangas.
The cargo ship, registered under Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp., was carrying 332 container units on a voyage from Davao International Container Terminal in Panabo, Davao del Norte, to Manila North Harbour when rough seas caused its container lashings to reportedly loosen. The incident highlights the importance of maritime security, safe navigation and container ship safety during severe sea conditions.
The containers fell into the sea approximately 1.78 nautical miles west of Hamilo Point. At the time, the vessel was about 1.5 nautical miles from the nearest shoreline. The Coast Guard has launched operations to locate and recover the containers and is monitoring the affected waters.
According to the master of MV Span Asia 39, the vessel departed the Davao International Container Terminal at 3:42 p.m. on August 31. It was carrying a total of 332 container units and was bound for Manila North Harbour.
At around 11 a.m. on September 3, the vessel was approaching waters off Calatagan, Batangas, when it encountered rough sea conditions accompanied by heavy and continuous rolling.
The PCG said the container lashings loosened while the vessel was near Hamilo Point, resulting in 46 containers falling overboard. The containers included 30 20-foot containers, 11 40-foot containers and five open-type containers.
Coast Guard Southern Tagalog District Commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said the ship’s captain reported that large waves had dislodged the containers.
Coast Guard Issues Navigational Warning
The Philippine Coast Guard has taken several measures to reduce the navigation risks created by the floating containers.
A drone operated by Coast Guard Station Cavite was deployed to locate and monitor the containers from the air. The Coast Guard also issued a navigational warning and transmitted VHF SECURITE broadcasts to vessels operating in the area.
Ships and other watercraft passing through or near the affected waters were instructed to maintain a sharp lookout, keep away from the floating containers and take the necessary precautions to ensure safe navigation.
The warning is particularly important because floating containers can pose a serious collision hazard to commercial vessels, fishing boats and other watercraft operating in busy coastal waters.
Another Container Falls and Sinks
Later on September 3, another container fell from MV Span Asia 39 while the vessel was proceeding toward the Manila North Anchorage Area.
At approximately 2 p.m., the additional container went overboard and subsequently sank, according to the PCG.
The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog contacted the Coast Guard Sub-Station North Harbour under the Coast Guard District National Capital Region to maintain direct communication with the ship’s master.
The communication is being used to provide operational updates and support efforts to reduce the hazards associated with the lost containers.
The PCG said BRP Malapascua, its 44-meter multi-role response vessel, will be deployed to support search, drift-tracking and containment operations.
Coast Guard Monitors Possible Environmental Impact
Beyond navigation safety, the Coast Guard is also examining nearby marine protected areas for potential environmental and coastal impacts from the lost containers.
The Marine Environmental Protection Force-Southern Tagalog identified four locations for monitoring: Taytayin Cove, Santelmo Cove, Pico de Loro (Cutad) Cove and Fuego Point Marine Sanctuary.
The monitoring effort is intended to assess whether the incident has affected surrounding coastal and marine environments.
The Coast Guard Civil Relations Group-Southern Tagalog has also conducted community outreach in coastal areas. The activities included social engineering, raising public awareness and promoting safety precautions among coastal communities.
The continuing search and monitoring operation underscores the need for rapid maritime response when containers are lost at sea, particularly in waters used by commercial shipping and other marine traffic.
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