Casualty News

MV MISSISSIPPI

Date
September 9, 2025

Type
Container stack collapse and lost overboard at Long Beach, USA

Voyage
Yantian, China / Long Beach, USA

Reports have been received that MV Mississippi, while berthed at Pier G in the Port of Long Beach, California, suffered a container collapse and loss incident on 9 September 2025. Approximately 67 containers fell into the water when the vessel developed a list, damaging the emissions-capture barge STAX 2 which was alongside at the time.

It is understood that several containers struck the barge and the pier, while others fell into San Pedro Bay. A number of containers were reported to contain consumer goods such as clothing and footwear. A unified command was established including the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Long Beach, Long Beach Fire and Police Departments, the Army Corps of Engineers, and commercial stakeholders. The Coast Guard imposed a 500-yard safety zone, broadcast hourly safety alerts, and deployed vessels and aircraft to monitor and corral floating containers.

Operations at Pier G were temporarily suspended, though other terminals remained unaffected. No injuries were reported among crew or shore workers. The incident remains under investigation, and authorities are assessing potential navigation hazards and damage to port facilities.

The vessel’s last port of call before the accident was at Yantian, China, destined for Long Beach, USA.

As well as cargo damage, it is possible that claims for general average will arise as a result of this incident.

If you are the cargo insurers for goods on board this vessel and require assistance the any claims arising, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We can assist with:

Arranging cargo damage surveys

Investigating the cause of the incident

Recovery of losses on NO CURE NO PAY terms

Provision of Salvage Guarantees (for a premium starting from 0.4% of guarantee amount)

Handling of Salvage claims (without the need for lawyers)

Providing Average Guarantees

Handling of GA claims

Defence of GA claims in NO CURE NO PAY terms