After the ‘Allision’ - Maersk Shekou and the STS Leeuwin II

On the 30 August, we brought you the shocking news about the STS Leeuwin II being struck by Maersk Shekou. At 6.15am that morning the 332m long container ship, struck and de-masted the Leeuwin at Victoria Quay.

The incident is referred to as an allision. The term ‘allision’ is used in maritime law to describe when a moving vessel collides with a stationary object, such as an anchored ship or a pier.

Work has now begun to safely remove the damaged masts, sails and rigging from the Leeuwin. Today, men on a crane cherry picker attached a sling to the broken main mast. This work is expected to take several days. Every piece will be taken to a secure area for assessment.

It appears that Maersk Shekou hasn’t fared well either. She had visible damage to her starboard hull, and looked a sorry sight too with some of Leeuwin’s rigging hanging off her bows. After the allision, she remained in Fremantle Harbour on the North Quay for six days. During this time she received temporary repairs to her hull. She was given the all clear to unload and reload and permission to depart by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Fremantle Ports. She also had an underwater hull inspection.

Credit Marine Traffic

The Singapore flagged ship sailed for Port Klang on 5 September. On 11 September, Maersk announced that Maersk Shekou would not be making further scheduled calls for the foreseeable future, as she required further repairs and assessment. As I write this she is travelling from Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia to Singapore where the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be conducting an investigation.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS (except where indicated otherwise) by Jean Hudson @jeansodyssey. Jean is our Shipping Correspondent and also a regular feature writer and photographer here on the Shipping News. You may like to follow up her informative Places I Love stories, as well as other feature stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.

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