The two written off cranes are older Morris and OMG models, 24 and 12 years old. The worked at the port's less busy Landguard Terminal, which with a depth alongside of 11.9 serves primarily short sea shipping. Port spokeswoman Rachael Jackson emphasised that 26 of the port's 28 cranes remained operational and that high capacity container services from the Far East were unaffected. Contingency plans were in place to accommodate vessels expected at Landguard Terminal.

Rachael Jackson said, 'Investigations are still ongoing and conclusions have yet to be reached about what occurred but Trinity Terminal, which is the major destination for most vessels, is working as normal and the incident has not caused major disruption to port operations.'

Discussions continue as to when Zhen Hua 23 can be moved from Landguard Terminal and the three cranes it is carrying for Trinity Terminal can be unloaded, although tomorrow (Friday) is the targeted date. Thereafter, Landguard will re-open to shipping lines on a limited basis. It is understood that the crane which impacted those on shore was destined for the Swedish port of Gothenburg.

The incident was the second in a month involving crane delivery vessel operated by China's Shanghai Zhenhua Shipping Co Ltd. The 'Zhen Hua 10', fully loaded with container cranes, dragged anchor in high winds sweeping the anchorage for Rotterdam on 2 February and grounded on the beach at Maasvlakte. A salvage team from Smit Salvage and a fleet of tugs succeeded in pulling the vessel off three days later (see MJ, February 2008).