Cargo Ship Loses Containers in Northern Canada

Saturday, 20 April 2024

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Recovery operations are underway after a Canadian cargo ship lost about 20 containers overboard in northeastern Canada on Friday.

The cargo loss involved the M/V Sivumut operated by NEAS near the Port of Iqaluit, the capital city of Canada’s Nunavut territory. One person was reportedly recovered from the water and taken to the hospital with injuries.

Iqaluit is located on Frobisher Bay in southeastern Baffin Island.

The circumstances of the cargo loss are unclear. In a Facebook post, NEAS described the event as a “cargo unloading” incident. “We are actively collaborating with the concerned agencies, the local community and our valued clients to ensure the safe resolution of this incident,” the post said.

The Government of Nunavut said the incident involved “a sealift barge.” The Canadian Coast Guard and NEAS were working to retrieve the containers, it said.

A photo of the incident posted to social media showed several containers floating next to NEAS’ Sivumut.

Officials are advising boaters near Iqaluit and neighboring Apex to keep an eye out for containers. Members of the public are being warned to stay away from any containers that wash ashore.