Video: Allision Damages Grain Terminal at Puerto San Mart?n

On Tuesday night, a vessel collided with a pier at Puerto General San Martín, Argentina, damaging terminal infrastructure and sending two workers into the water. 

The incident occurred at Terminal 6, a giant grain and liquid bulk facility on the Parana river. Video of the incident shows the collapse of a fixed conveyor belt and loading equipment after impact, and local media reported that two workers fell into the river. Both were rescued, and Guillermo Wade, the manager of Argentina's Chamber of Port and Maritime Activity, told Reuters that one worker suffered minor injuries. He reported that T6's north dock sustained serious damage, but the south dock remains operational. 

The cause of the allision is under investigation. Juan Juárez, a member of the San Lorenzo Volunteer Fire Station, told media that the vessel struck the dock "due to a bad maneuver," and he said that the authorities will determine whether it was caused by human error or a mechanical failure. 

Argentine outlet La Capital reports that the vessel involved was the bulker Ocean Treasure, one of two bulk carriers with this name. The Hong Kong-flagged Ocean Treasure (IMO 9437414) is presently anchored near the terminal, according to her AIS signal. Past photos of her livery appear to match videos taken at the scene. 

Terminal 6 S.A., a joint venture of AGD and Bunge, says that it is the most important agribusiness export facility in Latin America. It loads over 10 million tons of grains, protein meal, vegetable oil and biodiesel per year.