The search for 44 containers in Gqeberha continues.
The containers fell overboard one of the largest cargo containership, CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, last week Thursday (09th July 2024).
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said the container vessel was sailing alongside South Africa a week ago, in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape; when bad weather struck and she collapsed container stack.
The vessel then diverted to Algoa Bay, where she anchored in sheltered waters to undergo a comprehensive damage assessment inclusive of the remaining cargo still onboard.
The vessel has ever since left Algoa Bay and has passed St Helena Bay.
SAMSA said in a statement that there is a likelihood that the containers are located on the seabed outside of South African waters in depths of more than 500 meters.
Monica Stassen of the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) said the organization was alerted about the containers, but there is no harzadous materials spilling out to sealife.
She also said the risk at the moment might be the navigational hazard posed by the containers to other vessels.
Picture: SAMSA