The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) hereby announces the publication of safety recommendations on 12 March 2026 in connection with the ongoing investigation No. 180/25 CMA CGM ERMITAGE.
These recommendations can be viewed and downloaded online at https://www.bsubund.de/EN/News/neueVeroeffentlichungen/neueUnfallberichte_node.html
Allision with a container gantry crane by the container vessel CMA CGM ERMITAGE while berthing at the Athabaskakai in the Port of Hamburg on 11 May 2025
The BSU is investigating the allision involving a container gantry crane during a berthing manoeuvre by the container ship CMA CGM ERMITAGE in the Port of Hamburg on 11 May 2025. Material damage was sustained by both the vessel and the container gantry crane; the latter derailed on one side but did not overturn. Fortunately, neither crew members of the CMA CGM ERMITAGE nor harbour personnel suffered any injuries.
On the basis of the substantially complete investigation, the BSU has concluded that the accident was primarily due to the navigational challenges of restricted room, which the vessel also had to share with recreational craft. The accident has shown that insufficient account has been taken of this issue to date. Consequently, there is a risk of further accidents of a similar nature. The BSU is of the opinion that several measures may be considered in order to reduce the risk inherent in mixed traffic. Owing to the imminent seasonal increase in recreational craft traffic expected in the Port of Hamburg, combined with the fact that the investigation report cannot be published in the short term and the implementation of the recommended measures requires time, the BSU considers the issuance of safety recommendations to be imperative.
All investigation reports, safety recommendations, Lessons Learned and other information published by the BSU are available at https://www.bsu-bund.de/EN/Publications.