APL ENGLAND announced the preliminary investigation results of the loss of 50 containers

The Australian Transport Safety Agency issued a preliminary report on the container ship APL ENGLAND lost in May, which resulted in the loss of multiple containers in Australian waters. Although the first phase of the ongoing investigation reviewed the facts and the preliminary report did not include safety findings or analysis, it has already highlighted several concerns raised by the Australian authorities after the initial inspection of the ship.

The container ship APL ENGLAND encountered severe weather while sailing in Australian waters. The Singapore-flagged container ship reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Agency that the ship had briefly lost power, resulting in the loss of the container.
Initially, it was reported that 40 containers were dropped into the water, but it was later increased to 50 and another 63 containers were damaged. Brisbane inspectors detained the ship for violating safety regulations, and the captain of the ship was subsequently prosecuted in Australia for the impact of the container washing on the coast.

The preliminary report of the investigation listed the sequence of the accidents and recorded a series of safety issues discovered by inspectors when they boarded the container ship in Brisbane. "The ongoing investigation will review and analyze multiple areas, including the ship’s container storage and lashing arrangements; ship’s deck and engine room maintenance system; ship’s service and inspection records; weather conditions and information provided to the crew; and crew actions ”Said Greg Hood, Chief Commissioner of the Australian Transport Security Bureau.
The preliminary report highlighted that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a forecast for a complex low-pressure system along the southeast coast of the country and issued a gale warning.
In the morning of the accident, the container ship APL ENGLAND had been sailing southward at a speed of about 7 knots. The ship was swaying on the high seas, accompanied by strong winds, the steering system and cabin alarm sounded, and then the main engine shut down due to the drop in oil pressure. The report detailed that the crew tried to change course after restarting the main engine, but the ship continued to shake violently.
The crew’s testimony emphasized that the sun rose more than half an hour later and “the chief officer first noticed the loss of the container.” Hood said. It was not until later that they determined: "A container that fell into the water contained dangerous goods in the form of dry powder fire extinguishers."
The report focused on the findings of the Australian Transport Safety Agency investigators after the ship docked in Brisbane.

"Generally speaking, the lashing equipment on the ship is in good condition. However, many ship accessories have been found to be severely corroded after inspection."
In addition, the Australian Transport Safety Agency’s inspection of the container stowage arrangements revealed that tall cubes were used instead of standard-height containers in the rearmost container bays at the stern. They pointed out that this affected the safety of the container.

The container ship APL ENGLAND was detained in Australia for three weeks. Before allowing the ship to leave, the Australian Transport Safety Agency reported that it had received a formal written undertaking from the ship’s insurance company. The insurance company said it will pay fines and other amounts. The captain at the time of the accident had been replaced and was later released and allowed to return home.
The Australian Transportation Safety Agency said it will publish the complete investigation report after the investigation is over.