Attn: customers with cargo onboard MAERSK ESSEN voyage 051N

We refer to our previous communications in respect of the container ship MAERSK ESSEN, which was impacted during heavy weather on 16 January 2021 while the vessel was en route from Xiamen, China, to Los Angeles, USA.

The MAERSK ESSEN was carrying cargo for MSC customers as part of our Pearl service.

Following the incident, the vessel deviated to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, and berthed on 30 January to discharge damaged containers and for repairs.

Maersk has informed MSC that during the incident about 750 containers were lost overboard, including those of both Maersk and MSC. Amid the ongoing survey in Lazaro Cardenas, we have been able to determine that 350 MSC containers were lost and 79 were damaged.

The MAERSK ESSEN is expected to leave on or around 16 February and to arrive at the LA-Long Beach anchorage on 19 February. The current expectation is that the vessel will berth on 1 March at APM Terminals Pier 400 Los Angeles, however, we will continue to monitor Maersk’s schedule and there is currently significant congestion in the LA area.

The MAERSK ESSEN was originally scheduled to call at Los Angeles on 28 January, as part of the usual Pearl service port rotation: Vung Tau – Hong Kong – Yantian – Xiamen – Los Angeles.

MSC regrets any inconvenience caused by this incident and we will communicate again in due course as soon as we have updated information to pass on to you from the vessel operator.