On January 20, the container ship CMA CGM TIGA, operated by France's CMA CGM Group, encountered extreme weather conditions near Malta while en route from Europe to the Levant region. The incident resulted in 58 standard containers falling overboard, with additional damage to some deck containers. According to CMA CGM's official statement, no crew members were injured in the incident, and the vessel sustained no significant structural damage, remaining fully seaworthy.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the containers that fell overboard did not contain hazardous materials, keeping risks manageable. The vessel has now docked in Malta, where it will undergo a comprehensive technical assessment and implement necessary measures to ensure the safety of its subsequent voyage.

This incident occurred as the central Mediterranean was struck by the rare super cyclone “Harry.” Meteorological records indicate wave heights reached 16.6 meters between Sicily and Malta during the storm, with widespread 8-10 meter waves across the region, creating extremely hazardous sea conditions. As a newly delivered vessel in 2025 serving routes between Northern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean/North Africa, the CMA CGM TIGA incident underscores the severe challenges extreme weather poses to modern shipping.

Industry experts caution that with winter storms becoming more frequent in the Mediterranean, shipping companies must enhance meteorological warning responses and cargo securing protocols. This incident may cause short-term disruptions to delivery schedules on affected routes and impact shippers' cargo dispatch plans.