The large container ship OOCL Sunflower has arrived at the Port of Long Beach after losing containers during a severe storm in the North Pacific, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to officials, on March 3 the Hong Kong-flagged vessel was sailing south of the Aleutian Islands when 32 containers were lost overboard. Another 57 containers were left damaged or shifted on deck following the incident.
A 100-yard safety zone has been established around the vessel as unloading operations begin and inspectors board the ship to assess the condition of the cargo and any possible structural damage. No injuries or pollution have been reported.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the crew was unable to complete a full assessment at sea due to safety risks caused by the heavy storm. A detailed inspection is now being carried out in port. Preliminary examinations found no signs of hazardous material release or damage below the waterline.
The 16,828-TEU vessel, operated by Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), is one of the carrier’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 vessels deployed on Asia–U.S. routes.
The incident occurred during a trans-Pacific voyage from Kaohsiung to Long Beach. The North Pacific is well known for harsh weather conditions that can cause heavy rolling and dangerous cargo shifts even on modern container ships.
The company previously told Splash that the vessel remained seaworthy and that it was working with authorities, terminal operators, and specialist service providers on inspection, cargo stabilization, and follow-up actions.
The full impact on the cargo is still being determined. Authorities are reviewing the vessel’s cargo manifest to identify any potentially hazardous cargo and assess whether further response measures are necessary.
The incident comes as the shipping industry adapts to stricter IMO reporting requirements introduced this year, requiring shipowners to notify coastal and flag states about container losses and warn nearby vessels.
Although such incidents still occur, overall container losses at sea continue to trend downward. According to World Shipping Council data, 576 containers were lost at sea in 2024, significantly below the 10-year average.
