Five containers fall into the Jade: port operations in Wilhelmshaven stopped!

Five containers fall into the Jade: port operations in Wilhelmshaven stopped!

An accident in the Wilhelmshaven container terminal caused a stir on August 10, 2025. Five empty containers fell into the Jade as a 210-meter-long Liberian-flagged container ship was unloading. Fortunately, according to the water police, there were no injuries. Port operations were immediately stopped to avoid possible dangers.

The incident occurred as a result of a technical defect when releasing the so-called twist locks that secure the containers. Two of the containers remained partially connected and jammed when lifted, causing three more containers to be knocked over and fall into the jade. Two containers were recovered on Saturday, while three others partially sank near the pier - the recovery could take until Monday. A ban on seagoing vessels in the area around the container terminal has been imposed, while shipping traffic on the Jade itself is not affected. There was also no evidence of water contamination and the affected container ship remained undamaged.

Everything under control

The situation was met with keen interest by onlookers in Papenburg, but the emergency services are already at work recovering the containers. While the salvage work is underway, water use in the Jade remains partially restricted. No further undocking maneuvers are planned in Wilhelmshaven until the end of 2026, while Bremerhaven is heading for a busy season with around 1.2 million expected visitors and 250 ships.

However, such accidents are not uncommon. According to a study by Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, although the international shipping industry has experienced a positive trend in terms of safety since 2020, damage from fires and container losses have increased. The main cause of shipping accidents in 2020 was machinery damage, which accounted for around 40% of cases. With more than 3,000 containers lost at sea, supply chains are also at significant risk, not to mention environmental regulations, which pose an additional challenge.

The industry is changing

Shipping has to deal with a constant increase in the size of ships, which brings not only cumbersome logistics but also safety concerns. The lack of qualified personnel and the threat of cyber attacks are also issues that continue to concern the industry. These developments contribute to over 200,000 seafarers worldwide being unable to return home due to COVID-19 restrictions, which can lead to mental fatigue.

Given the challenges facing the maritime industry, it remains to be seen whether and how safety standards will continue to improve in the future. The incident in Wilhelmshaven is another example of the various risks associated with the operation of such a port - and not only for the ships affected, but also for the entire surrounding area.

For further information on shipping damage and the loss of containers at sea, please refer to the study by Logistics Express be referred. The current accident not only testifies to technical deficiencies, but also reminds us of the need to invest in safety and prevention.