Incorrect cargo weight data led to the loss of 23 containers and damage to 10 others aboard the U.S.-flagged containership President Eisenhower while it was drifting off the coast of California, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report.
The incident occurred on Feb. 6, 2024, approximately 94 miles south of Oakland, Calif., as the vessel awaited a berthing assignment. The lost cargo, along with damage to the ship, was valued at over $735,000. NTSB reported that none of the containers contained hazardous materials.
According to the NTSB report, the issue originated with incorrect container weight data input during cargo planning. The President Eisenhower began loading cargo at the Port of Los Angeles on Jan. 31, following a plan developed using verified gross mass (VGM) data. The VGM, which includes the weight of both the container and its contents, was provided by a booking agent. However, due to an error in the booking system, the booking agent manually entered the cargo weight for 40 containers, incorrectly recording the VGM for 39 of them. The actual weight of these containers was underestimated by 18.3 to 22.2 metric tons each.
The inaccurate weight data resulted in container stacks exceeding maximum weight limits and being loaded in reverse-stratified stacks—placing heavier containers on top of lighter ones. While drifting south of Oakland, the excessive loads caused the failure of the cargo-securing equipment, leading to container loss and damage.
Following the incident, the booking agent has updated its procedures and booking system to prevent similar errors in the future.
The NTSB’s full Marine Investigation Report 25-06 is available online.
