Over 50 containers fall from ship, halting operations at U.S. port

The Port of Long Beach, one of the main gateways for goods entering the United States, experienced a tense morning on Tuesday (9) when more than 50 containers fell into the ocean from the vessel Mississippi, which was docked at Terminal G. The incident, which occurred just before 9 a.m., forced the temporary suspension of all terminal operations. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries, according to ABC7.

Port spokesperson Art Marroquin said the accident happened while the Mississippi was moored at the dock after having been in China two weeks earlier. Footage shows containers plunging abruptly into the water, with some striking the STAX 2, an anti-pollution vessel anchored nearby, while a tugboat attempted to push part of the cargo back to shore.

In total, it is estimated that about 67 containers fell into the Pacific, although official figures mention “more than 50.”

Response and consequences of the container spill

The emergency response was immediate. Crew members and port staff mobilized to secure the containers, while the U.S. Coast Guard established a 500-yard (457-meter) safety zone around the vessel, according to ABC7.

A Coast Guard helicopter monitored the area from above to track the drifting containers and coordinate recovery operations. The crew also used high-pressure hoses to prevent the containers from floating further out to sea.

Images captured by AIR7 revealed the scale of the accident: large metal boxes drifting in the water, some warped from impact, while items such as shoes and clothing spread across the ocean’s surface. The scene reflected the chaos created by the massive loss of cargo and the complexity of recovery efforts.

Port authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. “Authorities will lead the work to establish the cause,” officials told ABC7.

So far, there is no information about the exact contents of the containers or the potential impact on international shipping traffic.

The Port of Long Beach, located about 20 miles (32 km) south of Los Angeles, plays a key role in the U.S. economy. It handles more than 9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year from roughly 2,000 vessels, representing about a quarter of all container traffic on the West Coast.

Roughly 40% of containers entering the United States pass through Long Beach or the neighboring Port of Los Angeles, highlighting the significance of any disruption.

As the investigation continues and operations remain suspended, uncertainty persists over the contents of the containers lost at sea. Aerial footage showed shoes and clothing among the objects carried away by the current—visible reminders of the magnitude of the accident.

Source: Gazeta Brasil

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