Vessel loses 46 containers due to rough seas off Batangas
On September 3, 2026, the Philippine-flagged containership MV Span Asia 39 lost 46 empty containers overboard while sailing about 1.5 nautical miles offshore near Hamilo Point in Nasugbu, Batangas.
The 8,300-dwt vessel had departed Davao International Container Terminal on August 31 carrying 332 container units bound for Manila North Harbour. The vessel encountered rough seas and heavy, continuous rolling at around 11:00 a.m., causing its container lashings to loosen.
The lost cargo comprised 30 20-foot containers, 11 40-foot containers and five open-top containers. Later that afternoon, a 47th container reportedly fell overboard and sank while the vessel was manoeuvring toward the Manila North Anchorage Area.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) issued navigational warnings and VHF broadcasts, urging vessels in the area to exercise extreme caution because of the drifting containers.
The PCG deployed a drone and the 44-metre multi-purpose response vessel BRP Malapascua to search for and track the containers, with operations also monitoring potential impacts on nearby marine protected areas.
At least one container was reportedly found washed ashore.
To remind, the World Shipping Council (WSC) reported that 1,478 containers were lost at sea in 2025, out of approximately 280 million transported, representing just 0.0005% of global container movements. The figure increased significantly from 576 containers lost in 2024 and was above the recent three-year average, although it remained within the range of historical variation and represented a very small share of overall containerized trade.
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
