Person dies after container incident at Ports of Auckland

Tuesday, 19 April 2022

A person has died at the Ports of Auckland after falling from a container.

A person has died after falling from a container on a Singaporean flagged ship at the Ports of Auckland.

The Maritime Union is now calling for a national inquiry after a number of deaths at the ports.

Emergency services rushed to the port after the incident was reported at 9.23am on Tuesday.

Stuff understands the person was injured when they fell from a container and died at the scene.

There have been a spate of deaths at the Ports of Auckland in recent times.

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It is understood the incident happened in the general port area, aboard a ship, not at the container terminal.

The person who died worked for Wallace Investments, the largest private operator at the port.

Wallace Investments general manager Felix van Aalst said the worker fell from height, but it was still too early to determine what happened.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you today of the death of one of our staff members.

“The company and staff are devastated by today’s incident and our immediate thoughts are with family and friends of the deceased,” van Aalst said.

It is understood the person fell from the Capitaine Tasman container transport ship.

He said the company would be investigating the incident and would fully co-operate with Maritime New Zealand’s investigation.

Maritime NZ confirmed it was notified of the death on Tuesday morning and would be leading the investigation, indicating the worker was aboard a container ship at the time of the fall.

It is the agency responsible for workplace safety on ships and at sea, while WorkSafe oversees safety at workplaces on land.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is currently in Singapore, said she had no details on the death but acknowledged the man’s family and colleagues.

Container shipping rates have skyrocketed.

Craig Harrison, the national secretary for Maritime Union of New Zealand, said the death was a tragedy and devastating for all family and workmates.

“It is understood he fell from a height while working on the Singaporean flagged container ship Capitaine Tasman. Details are yet to be confirmed,” Harrison said.

The death reinforced the dangers faced by port workers every day throughout the country, he said.

He said the union wanted a national inquiry into port safety, following a number of deaths and injuries in New Zealand ports in recent years.

In August, former Auckland port boss Tony Gibson was charged over the death Pala’amo (Amo) Kalati on August 30, 2020.

The father of seven was crushed to death by a container while working aboard a ship.

An independent review released last March found serious and significant changes were required at the port.

A St John Ambulance spokesperson said the ambulance service was notified of the incident near Quay St about 9.20am.

“We responded three ambulances and one manager to the scene.

“We were not required for transportation.”

Police said they were notified at 9.23am, and WorkSafe had also been notified.