Near a port in a storm

The Netherlands: The Zhen Hua10, a heavy lift vessel owned by Zhen Hua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC), ran aground just off the coast at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The Chinese vessel was moored on its own anchors waiting to enter the port when it broke loose in a heavy storm. Attempts to start the engines and lift the anchors failed to happen in time. The vessel was caught by the wind and drifted ashore, grounding close to the beach.

Zhen Hua 10 was loaded with five large ship-to-shore container cranes and two smaller stacker cranes. The latter, plus one of the large STS cranes, were due to be delivered to the new, as-yet unopened, Euro Max Terminal.

Dutch heavy lifting and offshore salvage specialist, Smit, was involved in the salvage, which took four attempts.