A NEAR-grounding that could have blocked Port Hedland’s main shipping channel was caused by a faulty main engine switch on a Fortescue capesize bulker, the ATSB has found.
In its final report on the 7 February 2025 incident the Bureau notes that ship operator FMG International has amended engine management across its iron ore fleet, after the 260,840 DWT FMG Nicola lost propulsion in the main channel when departing fully-laden under the conduct of two marine pilots and with three tugs in attendance.
About 5 nautical miles into the pilotage, the ship’s main engine unexpectedly shut down.
The pilots immediately took action to control the ship’s movement, while the port’s vessel traffic service mobilised additional tugs, and the ship’s engineers worked to rectify the engine fault.
The ship tracked along the edge of the charted shipping channel, before the engine was restarted about 8 minutes after shutting down.
Multiple tugs attended and the ship was brought clear of the channel side, before being taken safely to sea.
During its subsequent passage to its next port of Dongjiakou, China, the crew inspected all ballast tanks on the starboard side and found no physical damage to the ship’s side or structure.
“There was no evidence the ship came into contact with the sea floor, but as the ship tracked along the edge of the charted channel there was an increased risk of grounding, which could have had significant safety, environmental and economic implications,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
The ATSB’s investigation found the ship lost propulsion because the main engine low lubricating oil pressure emergency shutdown switch erroneously activated, while all system parameters were otherwise normal.
FMG International has responded by upgrading the testing and replacement regime for these switches on its ships, and implementing a fleetwide procedure for rapid response to a main engine shutdown of this nature.
While the investigation found the emergency response was as per port procedures, Pilbara Ports Authority has nonetheless updated emergency response and other relevant procedures in response to the incident.
Mr Mitchell welcomed the actions by the ship operator and port authority.
“The safety of ports and the ships that use them requires commitment to continued improvement and learning from incidents by port authorities, users, facility owners and service providers,” he said.
“By working together to enhance procedures and strategies, emergency situations can not only be safely managed, but lessons can be learned and used to further improve operational safety.”