In a dramatic incident on Monday, October 14, a large container crane at Taiwan’s Keelung Port collapsed after what appears to have been a collision with a Chinese-registered cargo ship. The ship, which was delivering three new bridge cranes to the West Coast Container Terminal, reportedly made contact with the existing crane while preparing to dock at Pier 20. The impact caused the massive crane to collapse, sending shockwaves through the bustling port.
The fallen crane, which weighed a staggering 750 tons and stood between 70 and 100 meters tall, had been a crucial piece of infrastructure at the terminal. Capable of lifting containers weighing up to 30 tons, it was initially left leaning precariously after the impact. However, the structure eventually gave way, collapsing completely and crushing five containers beneath its weight. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
The crane’s collapse sent debris scattering across the pier and disrupted operations at the terminal. While the immediate aftermath is clear, the full scope of the damage is still being assessed.
Negotiations regarding compensation between the involved parties have already begun, though details remain scarce. It is expected that the port authorities and the operators of the Chinese vessel will engage in further discussions to determine responsibility for the incident. This process could be lengthy, given the substantial damages caused by the collapse, both in terms of infrastructure and lost operational capacity.
Keelung Port, one of Taiwan’s major shipping hubs, is now grappling with the logistics of replacing the destroyed crane while ensuring that operations continue with minimal disruption. As investigations proceed, there are likely to be further evaluations of port safety procedures, particularly regarding the docking of large vessels in close proximity to critical equipment.
With no injuries reported, the focus remains on mitigating the operational and financial impacts of the collapse. Port authorities are working closely with the terminal’s management to ensure the port’s operations can resume normal activity as quickly as possible.
