On September 3, a Philippine inter-island containership encountered rough seas off Batangas Province and lost 47 containers overboard in two separate incidents. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has issued a navigational warning and launched search and recovery operations, alerting nearby vessels to the navigational hazards posed by floating containers.

Key Highlights

• 47 containers lost: A Philippine containership lost a total of 47 containers overboard after encountering rough seas. 

• Two separate incidents: The vessel initially lost 46 containers before another container fell overboard and sank later that day. 

• Navigational warning issued: The Philippine Coast Guard has issued a warning as search and recovery operations continue.

46 Containers Lost in Rough Seas

MV Span Asia 39, IMO number 9385568, is operated by Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. The vessel departed Davao International Container Terminal on the afternoon of August 31 carrying 332 containers and was bound for Manila North Harbor.

At around 11 a.m. on September 3, the vessel encountered rough seas while approaching the waters off Calatagan, Batangas, and experienced heavy, continuous rolling. Its container lashings subsequently came loose, causing 46 containers to fall overboard. These comprised thirty 20-foot containers, eleven 40-foot containers, and five open-top containers.

The vessel continued toward the Manila North Harbor anchorage later that day. At around 2 p.m., another container fell overboard and sank, bringing the total number of containers lost to 47. Some public reports continue to cite only the initial 46 containers. The figure of 47 includes the additional container lost later that afternoon.

Coast Guard Issues Navigational Warning as Search Continues

Following the incident, the Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog launched an emergency response and deployed a drone to search for the containers from the air and confirm their locations. The Coast Guard also issued a “SECURITE” navigational safety broadcast over VHF, advising vessels in the area to maintain a sharp lookout, keep clear of floating containers, and take any necessary action to avoid them.

The Coast Guard also plans to deploy BRP Malapascua, a 44-meter multi-role response vessel, to support the search, drift-tracking, and recovery operations. As currents, wind, and waves may cause the containers to drift, vessels operating near the affected waters should closely monitor navigational warnings and updates on their locations.

Will the Container Loss Affect Philippine Shipping Services?

Public information to date indicates that the incident is limited to a single Philippine inter-island containership and the waters off Batangas. There is no indication of widespread disruption at Philippine ports or on international shipping services.

Cargo owners and freight forwarders arranging shipments involving the Philippines should monitor navigational warnings for the affected waters and check whether any vessels adjust their schedules because of the search and recovery operations.

For services passing through the waters off Batangas or approaching Manila, companies should continue to check the latest carrier schedules and navigational advisories issued by the Philippine Coast Guard. Vessels transiting the affected area should also remain alert to the localized navigational risk posed by floating containers.

At this stage, the main concern is navigational safety in the immediate area rather than any broader impact on Philippine ports or shipping services. The extent of any further disruption will depend on where the containers drift, the progress of recovery operations, and whether local authorities impose additional navigational restrictions.

Sources and Disclaimer 

Sources include the Philippine Coast Guard, PortCalls Asia, The Maritime Executive, and publicly available shipping industry information. This article is provided solely for reference by the international logistics and freight forwarding industry. Specific arrangements remain subject to the latest notices issued by the relevant Philippine authorities and carriers.