a freighter on the high seas, loses the Container, is not uncommon. The degree of “MSC Zoe” are still surprised. The most important questions and answers.
Angelika Slavik, Hamburg Angelica Slavik
Born in Vienna, began as a freelance journalist for the daily newspaper The Standard, later editor of the business magazine Format. Since 2007, the süddeutsche Zeitung, most recently in the marketing Department mainly deals with the intersections of economy, society and pop culture. Since the beginning of 2015 economic correspondent in Hamburg.
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The world trade follow the ship’s travel needs. Whether mobile phones, shoes, furniture, or automotive parts – all of which is transported by sea, usually in containers. Now, however, the MSC Zoe, one of the largest cargo ships in the world, has lost a considerable part of their cargo on the high seas. The most important questions and answers.
What happened?
The MSC Zoe is a ship with a loading capacity of more than 19 000 standard containers (TEU), and thus one of the largest container ships in the world. It was on the way from Sines in Portugal to Bremerhaven in a storm – up to 270 Container
Is not secured in the cargo?
But. On most containers, so-called “Locks.”. This is a backup device that is attached to the (standard) container corners and the Container with each other or with the ship. The lower rows are secured by means of cell scaffolds made of metal.
Why is freight on Board?
If a ship in a severe storm, the danger is that it “rolls”, that it fluctuates around the longitudinal axis. With various structural Devices on the ship, the roles should be counteracted. But sometimes the sea is stronger. The longer the roll continues, the more momentum of the charge and, in the worst case, a part slips away into the sea.
is this Happening more often?
Yes. So great a loss as in the case of the MSC, Zoe, however, is unusual. The World Shipping Council specifies the number of containers in the world lost on the high seas, with an average of 612 per year in the case of normal ship traffic. In 2013, the container ship MOL Comfort in the middle of the Arabian sea broke apart. The crew was able to save himself, 4382 containers of cargo was lost.
What are the consequences for the environment?
On some Dutch Islands was already washed up flotsam that comes from the MSC, Zoe. Including screens, plastic ponies, and Ikea were flat-furniture – and, possibly, a toxic substance. Because one or more of the containers lost to the dangerous goods included. The speech is of Dibenzoyl peroxide, an agent that is used for the production of plastics. For the North sea island of Borkum, the authorities have issued a warning message: citizens are not supposed to touch the stranded Container and the authorities to communicate. Depending on the contents of the Container may also push for months on the surface of the water. This makes the yacht a risk for smaller ships, or sailing.
you May face cargo rinsed keep?
do not touch The warning of the authorities, the stranded Container, one should take into account. But Yes: anyone Who finds an Ikea chair or a pink plastic horse, may take everything. Stranded objects are considered to be flotsam.
Who cleans up that?
The container shipping line MSC has commissioned according to his own statement, already a special company, which is now to fish the Container out of the sea. Such special ships to search with Sonar technology in search of the lost charge.
Pays the insurance?
container shipments are insured very good in General – in this specific case, but there is still no indication of whether, at the time of loading was messed up a bit. The will is still studied, it is, in the shipping company.
