Collapse at Singapore’s Port halts empty container loading and unloading 新加坡港口发生倒塌事件！停止工作！

Image Credit: the Internet

图片源于网络

On the morning of November 25th, at Singapore's Pasir Panjang Terminal, a 37-year-old Malaysian forklift operator was struck by a suddenly falling container while at work, causing him to fall from the vehicle. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, suffering from lacerations to his head and body.

According to a video circulating on the internet, at the time of the incident, the forklift operator was attempting to move a container placed on the ground. It is suspected that due to an operational error, the forklift collided with five stacked containers behind it. Following this, the stacked containers began to tilt, with four being blocked by the iron frame of the forklift, while the topmost container directly fell, hitting the forklift cabin and causing injury to the operator.

Relevant personnel said that the injured operator was conscious at the time and currently receiving treatment in the hospital, with his condition now being stable. The company has provided him with necessary assistance and support, and will conduct a further investigation into the cause of the accident.

The Ministry of Manpower has instructed the terminal operator to suspend all empty container loading and unloading activities at Pasir Panjang Terminal. The importance of adhering to proper stacking practices to prevent such accidents was also discussed, with an addition that containers must be stacked within a safe range to avoid toppling.

11月25日早晨，在新加坡巴西班让三号码头，一名37岁的马来西亚籍叉车操作员在工作时被突然倒下的集装箱砸中，从车上坠落，随后被送往医院抢救，头部和身体有撕裂伤。

根据互联网流传的视频，事发时，叉车操作员尝试移动一个放置在地面的集装箱，疑因操作失误，碰撞到后方叠放的5个集装箱。随后，叠放的集装箱开始倾斜，其中4个被叉车上的铁架挡住，最上方的集装箱却直接倒下，砸中叉车驾驶舱，导致操作员受伤。

相关负责人表示，受伤操作员当时清醒，送院后正接受治疗，目前情况稳定，公司已为他提供必要的援助与支持，同时会对事故原因展开进一步调查。

人力部已指示码头运营商暂停巴西班让码头的所有空箱装卸活动。同时还讨论了遵守适当的堆垛做法以防止此类事故的重要性，并补充说集装箱必须在安全范围内堆放以避免倾倒。

Common Accidents in Ports

港口常见事故

Port operations, due to the multitude of involved processes and complex operations, coupled with the variability of the port environment, can lead to various types of accidents during the course of work. Specifically, the types of accidents that may occur in port operations include but are not limited to:

港口作业因其涉及的环节众多、操作复杂，加之港口环境的多变性，使得在作业过程中可能会出现多种类型的事故。具体来说，港口作业中可能出现的事故类型包括但不限于：

1.Dangerous Goods Explosions. Undoubtedly, the most destructive incidents for ports are explosions involving dangerous goods. In recent years, there have been several alarming incidents of port explosions involving hazardous materials. In June 2022, a fire at a container warehouse near Chittagong port led to an explosion of containers carrying chemicals, resulting in at least 41 fatalities and over 300 injuries. In 2020, two explosions at Beirut's port in Lebanon caused casualties exceeding 4,000.

2.Container Ships Colliding with Terminals. In June 2021, a container ship collided with the No. 70 Yangming Wharf at Kaohsiung Port, resulting in the collapse of two quay cranes, damage to on-site containers, one minor injury requiring medical attention, and two people trapped on the quay crane.

3.Accidental Falling During Cargo Loading and Unloading. In 2021, at the Mundra Port in Gujarat, India, a crane was lifting cargo when the rope broke, causing the cargo to fall and get damaged.

4.Dry Bulk Loading and Unloading. On one hand, common bulk goods such as coal and sulfur are prone to heat generation; coal releases the combustible gas methane, which can form an explosive mixture when mixed with air. On the other hand, due to the high density and smaller volume of bulk goods, they can easily overload the local strength of the ship, causing a sharp increase in the stress and torque on the vessel, leading to damage to the ship's structure and hull strength. In extreme cases, cargo shifting can even lead to ship capsizing.

5.Typhoons. In 2018, multiple quay cranes at Osaka Port were blown over by typhoons, leaving the docks in disarray.

1、危险品爆炸。对港口而言最具杀伤力的无疑是危险品爆炸。近年来，多起港口危险品爆炸的事故触目惊心。2022年6月，吉大港附近一座集装箱仓库发生大火并引发装有化学品的集装箱爆炸，造成至少41人丧生、300多人受伤。2020年，黎巴嫩首都贝鲁特港口发生两起爆炸事故，伤亡人数超4000。

2、集装箱船撞码头。2021年6月，一辆集装箱船撞上高雄港70号阳明码头岸桥，造成2台岸桥倒塌、现场货柜毁损、1人轻伤送医、2人受困于岸桥上。

3、装卸货物时意外砸落。2021年，印度古吉拉特邦的蒙德拉港口一起重机在吊装货物时，由于绳索断裂，货物坠落并损坏。

4、干散货装卸。一方面，常见的散货如煤炭、硫磺等容易发热，煤会释放出可燃气体甲烷，当其与空气混合时，可形成爆炸性混合物；另一方面，散货货物由于密度较高，所占体积较小，很容易使船体局部强度超负荷，使船舶所受的应力和扭力急剧增大，造成船舶结构和船体强度的损伤，更有甚者，还可能因为货物发生位移导致船舶倾覆。

5、台风。2018年，大阪港多台岸桥被台风吹倒，码头一片狼藉。

Main Reasons for Port Closures

港口封闭的主要原因

The operation of a port is a complex system involving multiple factors; it is not only influenced by internal operational processes and safety standards but is also closely related to external environments and global economic dynamics. In addition to direct port accidents, there are a series of indirect factors that may lead to the temporary or long-term closure of ports.

港口的运作是一个涉及多方面因素的复杂系统，它不仅受到内部操作流程和安全标准的影响，还与外部环境和全球经济动态紧密相关。除了直接的港口事故，还有一系列间接因素可能导致港口的临时或长期封闭。

1.Impact of Severe Weather Conditions

When encountering severe weather conditions such as storms and typhoons, ports often choose to close to ensure the safety of ships and cargo. In such cases, extreme weather like strong winds and huge waves pose a threat to the safe navigation of ships, and continuing to navigate could be dangerous. Therefore, port closure is an important measure to ensure the safety of ships and personnel.

2.Existence of Safety Hazards

If a port discovers potential safety hazards, such as equipment malfunctions or inadequate wharf maintenance that could lead to accidents, it will temporarily close for safety considerations. This is to prevent accidents from occurring when potential risks have not been effectively controlled, ensuring the normal order of port operations.

3.Port Maintenance and Upgrades

To improve the operational efficiency and service level of the port, regular maintenance and upgrades are conducted. During this period, to ensure the smooth progress of construction and to avoid interfering with normal shipping activities, the port will temporarily close. This is also an important step to ensure the long-term stable operation of the port.

4.Other Reasons

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, there are other factors that may lead to port closures, such as special events and emergency responses. In these cases, port closure is to maintain special needs during specific periods or to deal with emergencies.

1、天气恶劣的影响

当遇到恶劣天气条件，如暴风雨、台风等，港口为了保障船只和货物的安全，通常会选择封港。这种情况下，强风、巨浪等极端天气对船只的航行安全构成威胁，继续航行可能导致危险。因此，封港是确保船只和人员安全的重要措施。

2、存在安全隐患

如果港口发现存在潜在的安全隐患，例如设备故障、码头维护不当导致可能发生意外事故等问题，出于安全考虑会暂时封港。这是为了防止在潜在风险未得到有效控制时发生安全事故，保障港口运作的正常秩序。

3、港口维护升级

为了提升港口的运营效率和服务水平，港口会定期进行维护升级工作。在这期间，为了保障施工的顺利进行以及避免干扰正常的航运活动，港口会暂时封港。这也是确保港口长期稳定运行的重要步骤。

4、其他原因

除了上述原因外，还有一些其他因素可能导致港口封港，比如特殊事件、突发事件应对等。这些情况下，封港是为了维护特定时期的特殊需求或应对突发状况。

Port closures are an important measure to deal with various complex situations and ensure shipping safety. Different reasons may lead to port closures, but in any case, it is to ensure the safety of ships, cargo, and personnel, and to maintain the normal operation order of the port.

港口封港是为了应对各种复杂情况和保障航运安全的重要措施。不同的原因可能导致港口封港，但无论是哪种情况，都是为了确保船只、货物及人员的安全，维护港口的正常运营秩序。

Terminal Closure Areas

码头封闭区

Terminal closure areas refer to a specific area designated within the port terminal, which is prohibited for unauthorized personnel, vehicles, and equipment to enter during specific times. Its establishment aims to ensure the safe, efficient, and orderly conduct of port operations.

码头封闭区是指在港口码头划定的一个特定区域，该区域在特定时间内禁止非授权人员、车辆和设备进入。它的设立旨在确保港口作业的安全、高效和有序进行。

Main Functions

1.Safety Management: By restricting access, it reduces potential safety hazards and prevents unauthorized personnel or items from interfering with or damaging port operations.

2.Operation Coordination: Operations within the closed area often require precise scheduling and coordination to ensure the smooth progress of ship loading and unloading, cargo transit, and other links.

3.Resource Optimization: By planning the use of the closed area reasonably, port resources can be used more effectively, improving operational efficiency and reducing operating costs.

主要功能

1、安全管理：通过限制进入，减少潜在的安全隐患，防止未经授权的人员或物品对港口作业造成干扰或破坏。

2、作业协调：封闭区内的作业通常需要进行精确的时间安排和协调，以确保船舶装卸、货物转运等各个环节的顺畅进行。

3、资源优化：通过合理规划封闭区的使用，可以更有效地利用港口资源，提高作业效率，降低运营成本。

Duration of Closure

1.Ship Loading and Unloading Plans: The arrival time of ships, the type and quantity of cargo loaded and unloaded, and the efficiency of loading and unloading operations directly affect the duration of the terminal closure area.

2.Port Operational Efficiency: The operational efficiency of the port, including personnel deployment, equipment status, and operational processes, also affects the duration of closure.

3.Weather and Natural Conditions: Severe weather conditions, such as strong winds and heavy rain, may interrupt operations, thereby extending the duration of closure. In addition, natural conditions such as tides and water levels may also restrict the use of the closure area.

4.Emergencies: Emergencies, such as fires and leaks, may temporarily extend the closure time of the closure area to ensure safety and handle emergencies.

Therefore, the duration of the terminal closure area is not fixed but is flexibly adjusted according to specific situations. Under normal circumstances, the duration of closure may range from a few hours to several days.

封闭时长

1、船舶装卸计划：船舶的到港时间、装卸货物的种类和数量，以及装卸作业的效率，都会直接影响封闭区的封闭时长。

2、港口作业效率：港口的作业效率，包括人员配备、设备状态、作业流程等，也会对封闭时长产生影响。

3、天气和自然条件：恶劣的天气条件，如大风、暴雨等，可能会导致作业中断，从而延长封闭时长。此外，潮汐、水位等自然条件也可能对封闭区的使用产生限制。

4、紧急情况和突发事件：突发事件或紧急情况，如火灾、泄漏等，可能导致封闭区临时延长封闭时间，以确保安全和处理紧急情况。

因此，码头封闭区的封闭时长并非固定不变，而是根据具体情况进行灵活调整。在正常情况下，封闭时长可能从几个小时到数天不等。

Impact on Logistics

1.Ship Scheduling: The existence of the closure area requires ships to complete loading and unloading operations within specific time periods, affecting ship scheduling plans and requiring shipping companies to coordinate with the port in advance to ensure smooth operations.

2.Cargo Transit: During the closure of the closure area, cargo transit in the relevant area may be restricted or delayed, requiring logistics companies to fully consider the impact of the closure area when planning transportation routes and times.

3.Storage Management: The closure of the closure area may temporarily prevent the entry and exit of some cargo, requiring logistics companies to plan storage space in advance to ensure the safe storage of cargo during the closure period.

4.Cost Control: The establishment of the closure area and changes in the duration of closure may cause fluctuations in logistics costs, including ship waiting times and cargo transit fees. Companies need to closely monitor market dynamics and control costs reasonably.

对物流的影响

1、船舶调度：封闭区的存在要求船舶在特定时间段内完成装卸作业，这影响了船舶的调度计划，需要船运公司提前与港口协调，确保作业顺利进行。

2、货物转运：封闭区封闭期间，相关区域的货物转运可能受到限制或延迟，这要求物流企业在规划运输路线和时间时充分考虑封闭区的影响。

3、仓储管理：封闭区封闭可能导致部分货物暂时无法进出，物流企业需提前规划仓储空间，确保货物在封闭期间的安全存储。

4、成本控制：封闭区的设立和封闭时长的变化可能导致物流成本的波动，包括船舶等待时间、货物转运费用等，企业需密切关注市场动态，合理控制成本。

With the continuous improvement of technology and safety management measures, the incidence of port accidents is gradually decreasing. However, every accident serves as a wake-up call for port safety management, reminding us that we can never relax our focus on safety. As an important hub of global trade, the safe operation of ports is crucial for ensuring the stability of the global supply chain. Therefore, port managers, operators, and related logistics companies must work together to create a safer and more efficient port environment.

随着技术的进步和安全管理措施的不断完善，港口事故的发生率正在逐渐降低。然而，每一次事故都是对港口安全管理的一次警钟，提醒我们永远不能放松对安全的关注。港口作为全球贸易的重要枢纽，其安全运行对于保障全球供应链的稳定至关重要。因此，港口管理者、操作员以及相关物流企业必须携手合作，为创建一个更安全、更高效的港口环境而努力。