Evergreen’s Ever Feat Suffers Container Stack Collapse Off Brazilian Coast: Emergency Response in Montevideo

September 1, 2025 | Maritime Emergency Response

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lp_s4sGFkdw

Incident Overview

The maritime industry faces yet another challenge as Evergreen Marine’s container vessel Ever Feat experienced a devastating container stack collapse off the coast of Rio Grande, Brazil. The 12,100 TEU Neopanamax containership encountered severe winter weather during its voyage south from Navegantes, Brazil, resulting in significant damage to 30-40 containers, with several left precariously hanging over the vessel’s port side.

The vessel, which was built in 2021 and represents Evergreen’s modern F-class series, was forced to make an emergency stopover at Montevideo, Uruguay, where salvage operations commenced immediately under the coordination of Uruguayan authorities.

Extreme Weather Conditions and Immediate Impact

Meteorological Challenges

According to multiple reports, the Ever Feat encountered violent storm conditions near Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, characterized by severe winds and high waves that created dangerous seafaring conditions. The resulting forces triggered a collapse across at least two container bays, with aerial photographs and video footage showing two 40-foot containers suspended over the vessel’s side and a tangled pile of damaged boxes behind them.

Table: Ever Feat Incident Overview

Emergency Response and Salvage Operations

Port of Montevideo’s Crisis Management

Upon the Ever Feat’s arrival in Montevideo, the Uruguayan Coast Guard and National Port Administration established an immediate exclusion zone around the vessel to facilitate safe handling and removal of compromised cargo. The salvage operation, led by Montecon in collaboration with local firefighters and port stakeholders, focused on carefully resecuring containers that remained aboard while assessing those that might need to be offloaded.

Authorities implemented strict safety protocols due to the discovery that some affected containers carried fertilizer, raising concerns about potential hazardous material exposure and environmental contamination. The Uruguayan Coast Guard issued specific guidelines for handling these materials, highlighting the complex nature of the salvage operation.

Investigation and Assessment

Classification society representatives boarded the vessel to conduct comprehensive inspections of hull integrity and lashing equipment to determine the root cause of the collapse. Preliminary assessments suggest the extreme weather conditions caused excessive vessel movements—rolling and pitching—that exceeded the designed stability limits for deck cargo.

Table: Response and Recovery Efforts

Environmental Concerns and Hazardous Materials

The incident raised significant environmental concerns when initial assessments revealed that some damaged containers carried fertilizer products. This discovery prompted special handling procedures to mitigate potential pollution risks and protect the delicate marine ecosystem of the Montevideo port area.

While the exact chemical composition of the fertilizers hasn’t been fully disclosed, authorities have treated all compromised containers with extreme caution, implementing protocols normally reserved for toxic or environmentally harmful substances. As of current reports, no environmental contamination has been detected, thanks to the proactive measures taken by response teams.

Vessel Specifications and Operational Context

The Ever Feat is a Liberian-flagged container vessel with a capacity of 11,000-12,100 TEU built in 2021 by Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding. It is part of Evergreen’s modern F-class series, which includes sister ships such as Ever Forward (which grounded near Baltimore in 2022) and Ever Fortune.

At the time of the incident, the vessel was deployed on Evergreen’s ESA service (East Coast South America), highlighting the importance of this trade route for global commerce. The incident occurred during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter season, known for producing challenging maritime conditions in the region.

Industry Implications and Safety Considerations

This incident marks the second container-related accident involving an Evergreen vessel in Latin American waters within a week. These consecutive events have sparked discussions within the maritime industry about cargo securing protocols and weather routing decisions in an era of increasingly extreme weather patterns.

Maritime safety experts emphasize that while modern container ships are designed to withstand significant forces, unpredictable weather systems can sometimes exceed engineering parameters, necessitating even more robust safety margins and improved forecasting integration into voyage planning.

Company Response and Ongoing Developments

Evergreen Marine Corporation has acknowledged the incident and released a statement confirming their full cooperation with relevant maritime authorities and classification bodies. The company has activated customer insurance protocols for affected shipments and is working to minimize disruption to its service network.

As of September 1, 2025, the Ever Feat remains in Montevideo while damage assessment and cargo operations continue. Once the compromised containers are properly secured or offloaded, the vessel is expected to continue its voyage. The financial impact of the incident has not been disclosed, but insurance claims have been initiated.

Conclusion: Lessons for Maritime Operations

The Ever Feat incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks of container shipping and the critical importance of comprehensive safety protocols. As climate change contributes to more frequent extreme weather events, the maritime industry must continuously adapt its practices to ensure the safety of crew, vessels, cargo, and the marine environment.

The thorough response in Montevideo demonstrates how coordinated action between ship operators, port authorities, and emergency services can effectively manage complex maritime incidents while minimizing potential environmental impacts.

References:

1. Gravi danni a bordo della Ever Feat per colpa del maltempo: il video. (2025, August 1). ShipMag.

2. [Image] Aerial photograph showing damaged container stacks on Ever Feat. Source: Twitter/@Theseainarabic.

3. Ever Feat (IMO: 9890006) – Vessel Details. Equasis.

4. Container vessel EVER FEAT, IMO 9890006. FleetMon.

5. Evergreen EVER FEAT Container Stack Collapse in Heavy Weather off Brazil. (2025, July 31). Maritime Bulletin.