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Home Green Marine Loose Containership Crashes into Rail Bridge in Fremantle

Loose Containership Crashes into Rail Bridge in Fremantle

August 18, 2014

A container ship broke free from its moorings and crashed into a rail bridge last night in the port of Fremantle, Australia amid wild winds that swept through the port reaching up to 110 kilometres per hour.

The cargo ship AAL Fremantle was reported to had been unloading a shipment of cars at North Quay berth 11 when the wind caused its stern rope to snap and swing out into the port.

In addition, the storm also pulled free car carrier grand Pioneer from its moorings at North Quay berth 12 which was also undergoing stevedoring operations.

The rail bridge has been closed for damage assessment by the Public Transport Authority and train service between Fremantle and North Fremantle has been cancelled.

“Although the mooring lines at the bow of the ships held good, the ships swung out at the stern.

The stern of AAL Fremantle came in contact with scaffolding on the Fremantle Rail Bridge and one of the power poles on the bridge subsequently fell into the harbour.

The loss of power for the trains has halted passenger rail services between Fremantle and North Fremantle and is also impacting on freight rail services in and out of the port. It is not known at this stage how long the services will be interrupted,”  Fremantle Ports said in a statement.

The two ships have been towed back to their respective berths, according to Fremantle Ports.

Fremantle Ports said it had begun an immediate investigation into engineering and other aspects of the shipping incident.

The storm left over 2000 homes without power on Monday morning.

World Maritime News Staff