On May 4, while berthing, a CMA CGM container vessel collided with the harbour wall striking the leg of a quay crane causing it to fall at Terminal 1 of Jebel Ali Port, confirmed Dubai-based DP World.
A second crane was also shifted off its rails during the incident but remained upright and stable.
The company issued a statement saying: “Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees and all visitors to the port. DP Worlds terminal safety teams responded immediately to the incident and head office global safety teams joined them on site within five minutes. Working with external emergency response teams, the area was evacuated and an exclusion zone created. Safety drones were also deployed to survey the area, locate anyone in need of medical assistance and to ensure the safety of the responding crews.”
The incident resulted in one moderate and nine minor injuries, but no fatalities. Medical treatment for all minor injuries was received at the DP World Medical Clinic at the terminal, while the gentleman with the moderate injury – a fractured arm and leg – was taken to the hospital and is currently in a stable condition.
DP World said that an investigation is currently underway to establish the cause of the incident. The collapsed quay crane will be removed following all the necessary safety procedures once the investigation has been completed. The second crane is under assessment for structural integrity and not in use until further notice.
“All necessary measures were taken to minimise disruption of service to customers during the emergency response activation and in the subsequent investigation phase. We thank the CMA CGM crew, external emergency response services, and the DP World safety and operations teams and who worked together, ensuring no serious injuries and no fatalities,” concluded the statement.