The port of Genoa Pra’, home to PSA’s container terminal of the same name, was closed to navigation for nearly a full day after a number of empty containers fell into the basin from the 20,000 TEU container ship MSC Mariagrazia. The incident began on Monday, 10 November 2025, when the Genoa Harbour Master issued an interdiction order due to the danger posed by the floating containers, which had fallen the previous afternoon during berthing operations, forcing the suspension of terminal activities. According to PSA, the event was triggered by an abrupt and unusual intensification of wind affecting the area.
The Harbour Master reported that fifteen containers, stacked in a single column on board, had fallen into the water without causing injuries or pollution, as they were empty. The authorities were immediately informed, and MSC’s shipping agency provided full documentation for the affected containers. The terminal promptly offered full cooperation and assistance to the vessel, which was able to continue its loading and unloading operations safely.
The day after the incident, the Harbour Master issued the interdiction order as “the exact position of the containers fallen within the Voltri Pra’ port basin during commercial operations was not known, and they remain submerged, thus posing a danger to navigation”. The only exceptions to the navigation ban concerned Coast Guard and Police vessels, rescue craft performing institutional duties, and the units involved in recovery operations.
Recovery operations were immediately launched by the Harbour Master’s Office with the assistance of divers, tugboats and mooring crews, with the terminal operator responsible for notifying when recovery was complete. This occurred on 11 November, when the terminal resumed operations after the recovery of the floating containers, while efforts continued to retrieve those still submerged. The navigation ban had also kept in port, in addition to the MSC Mariagrazia, the container ships CMA CGM Ambition and Hyundai Mars.
Regarding the incident, MSC clarified in a statement that “the fall occurred during the loading and unloading operations of the vessel. The event cannot in any way be attributed to MSC, as these operations are the exclusive competence, management and responsibility of the terminal operator PSA.”
