Email this article The consequences of container vessel collisions with quay cranes: a case study
Abstract
In the last few years several container terminals have faced accidents of collision between vessels and ship to shore (STS) gantry cranes, causing damage and losses to the port and terminal. The notion of port management should be designated to oversee the increasing amount of containers, particularly in the event of accidents or emergencies.
The primary research gap is that the majority of current literature predominantly depends on simulations, leading to a lack of empirical data. Accordingly, this article analyzes the impact and consequences of the collision involving an 8,000+ TEU container vessel and two Post-Panamax gantry cranes on container terminal operations, productivity and related financial costs and losses assigning empirical data. The study employs quantitative methods using port performance indicators (PPIs), which are well-established in maritime literature for measuring terminal efficiency, to quantify the impact of container ship STS gantry crane collisions at a container terminal. Pre- and post-incident PPIs show how the collision affected productivity, resource distribution, and service standards. Losses are assessed using financial indicators. The accident results revealed an increase in the Berth Occupancy Rate from 24% to 43%, a 40% rise in ship turnaround time, an increase in waiting time, a drop in the number of vessels, and a financial loss.
The research contributes in providing PPI-based empirical quantification of STS collision impacts based on PPI, facilitating better understanding of how vessel and STS incidents influence terminal production and performance using actual data. The study employs PPIs as measures of time, ship, STS, and financial loss to assess terminal disruption.
Received: 26 December 2025
Accepted: 25 January 2026
Published: 12 May 2026
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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/MRT.2026.05.1.1873
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Maritime Research and Technology
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