Ambarli Port, one of Turkey’s primary hubs for container traffic, witnessed a serious incident in the early hours of 23 December 2024. At approximately 4:00 am, the Amnah began listing dangerously before capsizing, an event preliminarily attributed to improper cargo distribution. The vessel, flagged in Comoros, was managed by a Belize-based company and had been owned by Russia’s Fesco Group until October 2024. This recent change in ownership has raised questions about the ship’s maintenance standards and operational practices.
Rescue operations were swiftly initiated by port authorities. Of the 15 crew members aboard, 10 were rescued by emergency teams, while the remaining five jumped into the sea and managed to swim to safety. Only one crew member sustained minor injuries. Authorities promptly deployed floating barriers to contain any potential fuel spillage, aiming to mitigate environmental risks.
The incident’s repercussions extended beyond immediate human and environmental concerns. Numerous containers plunged into the sea, disrupting port activities. As Turkey’s largest container port and one of the few in the region capable of accommodating vessels over 300 metres in length, Ambarli faced a temporary shutdown, with significant knock-on effects on regional and international supply chains. Turkish authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise causes of the accident, focusing on loading procedures and weight distribution.
The Amnah (IMO 9126259), built in 1996, measures 101 metres in length and 18 metres in width, with a capacity of 508 TEU. Prior to the incident, it operated as a feeder ship between Turkish ports in the Sea of Marmara.
