A Unified Command has been activated following an incident on Tuesday morning in which approximately 67 shipping containers toppled from the vessel Mississippi into the waters alongside Pier G at the Port of Long Beach shortly after 9 a.m.
As per news from the Port of Long Beach, the coordinated response includes representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Long Beach Fire Department, Long Beach Police Department, the Port of Long Beach, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as commercial partners.
Images from ABC shows container stacks collapsed to the port side and containers fallen off the starboard side, which is a bit unusual for a ship that is berthed. The cause of the incident is still being investigated..
As per reports at the time of the accident, a clean air barge was positioned next to the Mississippi. Several containers struck the barge, causing damage. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Port operations outside Pier G remain unaffected.
Cargo activities at Pier G have been temporarily halted while crews work to secure the site and protect dockworkers and port personnel.
Unified Command agencies have deployed multiple vessels and aircraft to monitor conditions and provide support.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a 500-yard safety zone around the Mississippi and is issuing hourly marine safety broadcasts to warn nearby vessels of navigational hazards. The Coast Guard is also leading the investigation into the cause of the incident.
Authorities have urged all non-response personnel to stay clear of the impacted area.
The Port of Long Beach, recognised as a premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, handles more than $300 billion worth of cargo each year and supports 2.7 million jobs nationwide, including 691,000 in Southern California. It is one of 18 designated strategic seaports serving U.S. national defense needs.
In 2025, the Port is celebrating “20 Years of Leading Green,” marking two decades since the launch of its Green Port Policy, which has significantly reduced environmental impacts from port operations and the port has been honoured as the “The Best Green Seaport” in 2025.
