17
Location: Casablanca, Morocco (image for representation purposes)
Maritime traffic at the Port of Casablanca was suspended following a significant cargo loss involving the Liberian-flagged containership Ionikos. The incident occurred late on February 26, 2026, when the vessel encountered heavy swells while departing for Spain, resulting in approximately 85 containers falling into the sea near the harbor entrance. Moroccan authorities halted all port operations to mitigate navigational risks posed by the drifting cargo. Recovery efforts involving the Royal Navy and Royal Maritime Gendarmerie are currently underway.
The Facts
- Vessel Details: The Ionikos is a 4,360-TEU containership, built in 2009, measuring 258 meters in length. It is Greek-owned and was operating under charter to Hapag-Lloyd at the time of the incident.
- Timeline of Incident: The ship completed cargo operations and departed Casablanca around 23:00 local time on Thursday, February 26. As it cleared the port gates, severe rolling caused by high waves led to a shift in deck-stowed cargo.
- Cargo Loss: An estimated 85 containers were lost overboard. The cargo reportedly included automotive parts, furniture, food products, and various consumer goods.
- Port Suspension: The National Ports Agency (ANP) ordered an immediate suspension of maritime traffic at 23:00 on February 26, citing unsafe transit conditions. The port remained non-operational through at least February 28 as recovery teams worked to clear the fairway.
- Environmental and Coastal Impact: Several containers have drifted and run aground along the coastline, including areas near the Hassan II Mosque, Ain Diab beach, and Dar Bouazza. At least one container was reported to have broken open, spilling packaged food products—specifically Nestlé-branded cereal—onto local beaches.
- Recovery Operations: A coordinated response includes five vessels from the Royal Navy and Royal Maritime Gendarmerie, tugboats, and a helicopter for aerial surveillance. The Ionikos remains at anchor approximately six nautical miles offshore.
Discover more about maritime accidents at Maritime-hub.com.
Official Statements
- National Ports Agency (ANP): The port captain issued a notice stating the suspension was a “precautionary measure to safeguard people, ships, cargo and the marine environment”.
- Port Authorities: Officials confirmed that operations would only resume once “safe transit conditions were restored” and the navigation channel was secured.
- Security Forces: Authorities have deployed personnel along the affected shorelines to secure washed-up cargo and prevent unauthorized access.
Sources
