The report confirms that the accident caused by excessive speed during manoeuvring and the underestimated effects of the ship in ballast, such as partially submerged propellers and rudder blades with limited manoeuvrability, are considered to be the causes of this serious accident when berthing with a destroyed gantry crane.
The MOF’s Korean Maritime Safety Tribunal’s (KMST) investigations showed that Milano Bridge entered the port with about one-third of its propeller exposed above the water surface because it was not carrying sufficient ballast water. Milano Bridge was ballasting at the time, having departed from Zhoushan DDW PaxOcean Shipyard in China, after undergoing repairs.
KMST noted that Milano Bridge sailed towards the pier at a speed of 8 knots, which was higher than the usual speed of 6 knots when berthing. Wind speed at the time was 5 to 8 metres per second, which is considered normal.
KMST also calculated that the accident could have been avoided if Milano Bridge had slowed to less than 7 knots when approaching the pier.
The "Milano Bridge" is now undergoing repairs in Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company’s yard in China.