Ultra-large Container Vessel Collision at the Port of Rotterdam

Incident Overview

On the evening of Friday, 6 February 2026 (local time), the ultra-large container vessel MV Bangkok Express (IMO 9943889), operated by Hapag-Lloyd, was involved in a serious collision accident while conducting discharging operations at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

With a carrying capacity of 23,664 TEU, the vessel is a new-generation LNG dual-fuel container ship in the 24,000 TEU class. The incident caused the collapse of container stacks on board, with multiple containers falling and toppling during operations.

Detailed Course of the Incident

At the time of the incident, MV Bangkok Express was performing routine cargo loading and discharging operations at the Prinses Amaliahaven harbor basin in the Port of Rotterdam. During the discharging process, the vessel collided with quayside infrastructure, destabilizing the container stacks on deck.

Footage from the scene shows several empty containers tilting and collapsing into each other, with a number of containers falling directly onto the deck of the LNG bunkering vessel MV K Lotus, which was moored alongside.

In total, 3 containers fell into the water, while several others came to rest near the accommodation area of MV K Lotus.

The Dutch Safety Board (Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid, OVV) dispatched two investigators to the terminal on Saturday, 7 February to launch a full investigation. Patrol boats of the Port Authority, port police, and vessels of Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) arrived at the scene immediately for emergency response.

Emergency Response and Impact

Lex Bezemer, a spokesperson for the Port of Rotterdam Authority, confirmed no casualties in the incident. As a safety precaution, the crew of the bunkering vessel was quickly evacuated to a safe area, and LNG bunkering operations were suspended immediately.

Affected by the accident, navigation through the Prinses Amaliahaven basin was closed for approximately two hours, until the exact number and position of the sunken containers were confirmed.

APM Terminals Maasvlakte II has suspended loading and discharging operations in the affected area and launched an internal investigation. The Port Authority stated that the sunken containers have been located, with salvage operations scheduled for 7 February, and is not expected to disrupt subsequent vessel traffic. Containers remaining on MV K Lotus will also be removed.

Vessel and Service Background

At the time of the incident, MV Bangkok Express was deployed on the Asia-Europe service NE1 (ASIA NORTH EUROPE 1), operated by the Gemini Alliance of Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, with voyage number 605E/550W.

The service originates from Ningbo and Shanghai, China, with port calls including Tanjung Pelepas, Tanger Med, Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, and Salalah.

According to schedule data, the vessel arrived at the Port of Rotterdam at 04:24 on 6 February and was originally scheduled to depart at 04:43 on 8 February. It is currently unclear whether the incident will affect the vessel’s subsequent schedule or the terminal’s overall operational plan.

Similar Previous Incidents

Notably, this incident bears strong similarities to a similar event on 12 August 2025.

At that time, MV Rotterdam Express (IMO 9943891) — a sister vessel of the same Hapag-Lloyd class — drifted off course due to strong winds and struck the breakwater while berthing at Terminal 1, Tanger Med, Morocco. The collision caused an approximately 20-meter crack in the hull and damage to ballast water tanks. Although no cargo loss was reported, the vessel’s schedule was severely disrupted.

Follow-Up Actions

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and APM Terminals are coordinating damage assessments and operational recovery efforts.

Hapag-Lloyd has not yet issued an official statement regarding the cause of the incident or liability and compensation matters.

Industry insiders note that successive accidents involving ultra-large container vessels highlight the unique operational risks of 24,000 TEU-class ships in port environments, which may require a reassessment of relevant safety procedures.

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