EVER SIGMA

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Latest news

Ever Sigma Discharges 9 millionth TEU at Los Angeles Port

Evergreen Line’s Ever Sigma container ship discharged the 9 millionth TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) to pass through the Port of Los Angeles in the span of 12 months, setting a new annual record for the most container throughput of any port in the western hemisphere.

Evergreen Lines fined after oil spill

The "Ever Sigma" was en route from Greece to the Netherlands on Jan 24, 2013, when 700 litres of heavy fuel oil went overboard. The incident occurred when the chief engineer decided to carry out an internal transfer of heavy fuel oil using 2 pumps. The heavy fuel oil was not pre-heated prior to the transfer – and the vessel’s master was not informed. A precautionary alarm sounded when the tank reached 336 tonnes (69% full). However, the use of 2 pumps continued for another hour when the transfer was stopped when the fuel level reached 417 tonnes (85% full). Shortly afterwards, the ship’s bosun – a senior crewman of the deck – was doing rounds when he noticed heavy fuel oil spilling onto the deck through an air pipe. The alarm was raised and clean-up operations on board began. This took about 9 hours. Unfortunately, some heavy fuel oil spilt overboard about 83 miles off Kalamata in Greece. About 27 hours after the spill occurred, the "Ever Sigma" reported the incident to the Italian authorities. The ship was advised by the Italian Coastguard to report the incident to Greece. This was done. On arrival in Rotterdam, the vessel was inspected by Dutch officials who conducted their own investigation. Information was passed to the UK as flag state to ultimately deal with the matter. By pumping cold heavy fuel oil with two pumps, the ship’s staff had over-pressurised the tank, which then forced it out through an air pipe. There was also a breakdown in the ship’s safety management system and procedures were not followed during the incident. The operator was fined £10,000, plus costs of £7,191.01, and a victim surcharge of £120 after pleading guilty to a breach of oil pollution legislation. In passing sentence at a hearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Apr 29, 2014, the Chairman of the Magistrates’ Bench Mr Patz said that the heavy fuel oil hadn’t been seen by the bosun, the incident could have been much worse. The delay in reporting the incident was also unacceptable. The operator’s early guilty plea, cooperation with the authorities, and previous good character was commended in court. The MCA thanked the Greek and Dutch authorities for their assistance in this matter.”

Death in Hongkong

A Scottish sailor has been found dead aboard the "Ever Sigma" in Hong Kong on Oct 21, 2011. The 21-year-old man was an engineering cadet working on the vessel. He was discovered dead in his cabin onboard the ship at 9 a.m. He was found sitting in a chair, wearing headphones and with a laptop turned on in front of him. It is unclear what caused his death. The ship which is sailing between China and Europe and is currently in the Pacific operated by the shipping company Evergreen.