ISA is an international marine & cargo survey company incorporating risk management services and salvage broker sales
Casualty Details
| Publish Date | 20 Mar 2026 |
| Casualty Type | Cargo Overboard |
| Vessel Type | Container Carrier (VT-UCC) |
| IMO | 9949728 |
| GRT | 159,260 |
| Year of Build | 2025 |
| Location | South of the Aleutian Island Chain, North Pacific Ocean |
| Cargo Details | Up to 16,828 TEUs of containerised and temperature sensitive cargo |
| Port of Refuge | Long Beach, USA |
Report
* It has been reported that the container vessel OOCL SUNFLOWER (IMO 9949728) lost at least 32 containers overboard while transiting south of the Aleutian Island Chain in the North Pacific Ocean on 3 March 2026.
* According to initial reports, the vessel encountered severe weather conditions in the North Pacific shortly after departing Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
* Several containers stowed on deck were damaged or shifted as a result of the vessel’s violent motion. The entire forward stack was observed leaning to port, with a number of containers appearing to have been crushed. The damage is reported to be confined to a single forward row at the bow.
* The vessel was subsequently escorted into the Port of Long Beach, USA, arriving on 18 March, where operations have commenced to remove the collapsed and damaged containers.
* It is likely that loss or damage and recovery issues will arise as a result of this casualty. Should you insure any cargo and require our assistance, we look forward to hearing from you accordingly.
