Casualty News
MV BANGKOK EXPRESS / MV K.LOTUS
Date
February 6, 2026
Type
Container stack collapse during discharge
Voyage
Wilhelmshaven, Germany to Rotterdam, Netherlands
Reports have been received that the Bangkok Express experienced a container stack collapse during discharge operations at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II, Rotterdam, Netherlands, on the evening of 6 February 2026.
It is understood that several empty containers became dislodged and fell overboard, with some landing partly on the quay and others falling onto the adjacent liquefied natural gas carrier K. Lotus.
Three containers reportedly entered the water, while several others remained leaning against the accommodation of the LNG carrier. A loud impact was reported at the time of the incident, and terminal operations in the affected area were temporarily suspended.
The crew of K. Lotus, which was carrying LNG at the time, evacuated to a safe location as a precaution, and LNG bunkering operations were immediately halted. Port authorities closed the Prinses Amalia Port for approximately two hours while patrol vessels assessed the situation and located the fallen containers. Recovery operations were scheduled to remove containers from both the water and the deck of K. Lotus, with no injuries reported.
The Bangkok Express’ last port of call before the incident was Wilhelmshaven, Germany, and the incident occurred while the vessel was alongside in Rotterdam during cargo discharge operations.
As well as potential cargo damage and terminal liabilities, it is possible that claims relating to third-party property damage, and general average may arise as a result of this incident.
Dolphin has many years of experience dealing with claims arising from containership incidents, including container stack collapses, port incidents, and third-party vessel damage. If you are the insurers of cargo on board this vessel and require assistance with any claims arising, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We can assist with:
We can assist with:
- Arranging cargo damage surveys
- Investigating the cause of the incident
- Provision of Average Guarantees
- Recovery of losses on NO CURE NO PAY terms
- Defence of General Average claims on NO CURE NO PAY terms
Photographs courtesy of shipwrecklog.com