The recent incident in New York, where a container ship owned and operated by CMA CGM lost propulsion power near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, has raised concerns about the safety of ships near important infrastructure. This news comes on the heels of a similar incident in Baltimore where a bridge collapsed after being struck by a ship that had also lost control.
The M/V APL Qingdao, the ship involved in the New York incident, eventually regained control but the incident has left officials on edge. The Coast Guard was alerted to the situation and assisted the 89,000-ton container ship to safely anchor outside of the navigable channel near the Verrazzano Bridge.
CMA CGM operates a large fleet of vessels and shipping lines worldwide, making incidents like this a cause for concern. The company has not yet provided comments on the incident, but it is clear that safety is a top priority. With proper maintenance and protocols in place, these incidents can be prevented and their devastating consequences can be avoided.
Representatives from the New York Port Authority and the Coast Guard have also not yet provided comments on the incident, but it is clear that they are taking steps to ensure that ships have proper safety measures in place to prevent accidents near important infrastructure. These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects of maritime transportation.
