Crane Collapse at Paradip Port Leaves Crew Unscathed but Raises Safety Concerns

A crane collapse at Paradip Port in Odisha has raised significant concerns over operational safety during cargo unloading procedures. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, involved a shore harbour mobile crane collapsing onto the vessel MV AMNSI Maximus during a cargo unloading operation. Fortunately, all 21 crew members on board the vessel were unharmed, as were the local workers present at the scene.

The vessel, carrying an estimated 21,000 tonnes of limestone and dolomite, had docked at the port’s multipurpose berth just a day before the accident took place. Initial reports suggest that the crane’s rope snapped, prompting its midsection to collapse upon the ship, causing a loud crash that induced panic among those on board.

Local workers indicated that the mishap may have been caused by the crane lifting cargo beyond its capacity, leading to the rope’s failure under excessive weight. The crane’s lifting cylinder, along with parts of the ship, sustained damage due to the malfunction. The crane’s grab reportedly fell into the harbour waters, further complicating the situation.

Authorities from the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) confirmed the incident, attributing the rope’s failure to weakening over time. Port and dock safety officials swiftly arrived at the site to commence a thorough investigation into the accident’s cause. According to a senior PPT officer, such incidents “are not uncommon during cargo operations at Paradip Port.”

In another development, a crane operator sustained injuries due to the collapse of the crane’s boom, a separate incident reported at the MPB (Mechanized Bulk Cargo) berth of the same port. According to sources from Bothra Shipping Corporation, the company operating the crane, the operator received immediate medical attention, though the extent of his injuries has yet to be officially confirmed.

This incident underscores potential issues regarding equipment maintenance and operational safety, and a detailed inquiry is expected to be carried out by the port authorities in collaboration with Bothra Shipping Corporation to prevent future occurrences.