Marine safety investigations & reports
Breakaway incidents involving OOCL Brisbane and CMA CGM Bellini in the Port of Brisbane, Queensland on 16 May and 20 May respectively
MO-2022-004

Summary
The ATSB is investigating the breakaway of the container ship OOCL Brisbane and near-breakaway of the container ship CMA CGM Bellini on 16 May and 20 May respectively, at the Fisherman Island container terminals in the Port of Brisbane, Queensland.
At about 1313 AEST on 16 May 2022, OCCL Brisbane broke away from its berth at the terminal after its mooring lines parted shortly after another ship, Delos Wave, passed the berthed ship in the adjacent channel. The emergency response by OCCL Brisbane’s crew included using the ship’s engines and bow thruster to manage the situation until harbour tugs arrived at 1320. The tugs remained with the ship and its starboard anchor was lowered to prevent the ship drifting further into the channel. At 1420, a harbour pilot boarded the ship and, with additional tugs assisting, conducted it to a nearby anchorage where it anchored safely without further incident.
At about 0640 AEST on 20 May, CMA CGM Bellini was working cargo alongside a berth at the terminal when two of its forward mooring lines parted and the ship’s bow drifted off the berth at the time that another ship, APL Scotland, passed the berthed ship in the adjacent channel. The ship’s crew responded by attending to moorings and, with the assistance of a harbour tug, the ship was secured safely back alongside the berth by about 0800. Cargo operations were resumed shortly after.
The ATSB’s investigation will cover circumstances related to both incidents. As part of the investigation, the ATSB will interview relevant persons and obtain other evidence, including recorded data, for both incidents. Should a critical safety issue be identified at any time during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify operators and regulators so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken. A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.
General details
Date: | 16 May 2022 | Investigation status: | Active | ||
Time: | 13:02 E. Australia Standard Time | Investigation level: | Short - click for an explanation of investigation levels | ||
Location (show map): | Port of Brisbane | Investigation phase: | Evidence collection | ||
State: | Queensland | ||||
Release date: | 27 May 2022 | Occurrence category: | Serious Incident | ||
Report status: | Pending | Highest injury level: | None | ||
Anticipated completion: | 4th Quarter 2022 |
Vessel 1 details
Operator | Orient Overseas Container Line | |
---|---|---|
Vessel | OCCL Brisbane | |
Flag | Hong Kong | |
IMO | 9445502 | |
Sector | Container | |
Type of operation | Berthed | |
Damage to vessel | Nil | |
Destination | Port of Brisbane |
Vessel 2 details
Operator | CMA CGM SA the French Line | |
---|---|---|
Vessel | CMA CGM Bellini | |
Flag | Malta | |
IMO | 9280598 | |
Sector | Container | |
Type of operation | Berthed | |
Damage to vessel | Nil |
Vessel 3 details
Operator | APL LLC | |
---|---|---|
Vessel | APL Scotland | |
Flag | Singapore | |
IMO | 9218662 | |
Sector | Container | |
Type of operation | Underway | |
Damage to vessel | Nil |
Vessel 4 details
Operator | ZIM Integrated Shipping Servs | |
---|---|---|
Vessel | Delos Wave | |
Flag | Marshall Islands | |
IMO | 9341110 | |
Sector | Container | |
Type of operation | Underway | |
Damage to vessel | Nil |