Near a port in a storm
12 May 2008
The Zhen Hua 10, a heavy lift vessel owned by Zhen Hua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC), ran aground just off the coast at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands on Friday 1 February.
The Chinese vessel was moored on its own anchors waiting to enter the port on Saturday when it broke loose in a heavy storm. Attempts to start the engines and lift the anchors failed to happen in time. The vessel was caught by the wind and drifted ashore, grounding close to the beach.
Zhen Hua 10 was loaded with five large ship-to-shore container cranes and two smaller stacker cranes. The latter, plus one of the large STS cranes, were due to be delivered to the new Euro Max Terminal in Rotterdam.
Dutch heavy lifting and offshore salvage specialist, Smit, was involved in the salvage.
A first attempt involving three tugs, at high tide, failed as one of the wires broke. A second attempt was also unsuccessful so operations were suspended pending the arrival of a larger tug from Germany. Following a third case of deferred success, it was fourth time lucky. Tuesday morning the ZPMC vessel was back afloat and waiting to enter the port.
