Ship Loses Containers in Pacific, Arrives at Long Beach

A large container vessel has arrived at the Port of Long Beach after losing cargo during heavy weather in the North Pacific, prompting action from the US Coast Guard.

Authorities reported that the Hong Kong-flagged OOCL Sunflower lost 32 containers overboard on March 3 while sailing south of the Aleutian Islands. In addition, 57 containers were left damaged or shifted on deck following the incident.

As the ship begins cargo discharge operations, a 100-yard safety zone has been established around it. Inspectors have boarded to evaluate both the condition of the cargo and any potential structural damage. Officials confirmed there have been no injuries or signs of pollution.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that the crew was unable to carry out a full inspection while at sea due to dangerous conditions. A more detailed assessment is now being conducted in port. Initial checks have not found any release of hazardous materials or damage below the waterline.

The OOCL Sunflower, operated by Orient Overseas Container Line, is a 16,828 TEU vessel and one of the company’s newest ships. It was delivered in January 2025 by Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co and is part of a new generation of ultra-large container ships operating on Asia to US routes.

The incident occurred during a transpacific voyage from Kaohsiung to Long Beach. The ship encountered severe weather in the North Pacific, an area known for rough seas that can cause heavy rolling and cargo movement on large container vessels. The company said at the time that the vessel remained seaworthy and that it was working closely with authorities, terminal operators, and specialist teams on inspections, stabilization, and next steps.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the cargo damage. This includes reviewing the ship’s manifest to identify any hazardous goods and determine whether additional response measures are needed.

The incident comes as the shipping industry adapts to stricter reporting requirements introduced this year by the International Maritime Organization. These rules require shipowners to report lost containers to coastal and flag states and to alert nearby vessels.

Although such incidents still happen, the number of containers lost at sea has been declining. According to data from the World Shipping Council, 576 containers were lost in 2024, significantly below the 10-year average.