A shipping company that sued the owners of a container ship involved in a damaging incident on the Cooper River in 2024 has reached a settlement agreement.
Carver Maritime LLC filed the lawsuit after claiming the container ship MSC Michigan lost control of its engines while traveling through the Charleston harbor area in June 2024.
The company alleged the incident caused severe damage to Carver Maritime’s Pier J facility.
Lawsuit Claimed Ship Was Traveling at High Speed
According to the lawsuit, the MSC Michigan was moving at more than 15 knots, which the complaint described as operating at “full ahead” speed.
Carver Maritime claimed the ship’s movement displaced large amounts of water and created a powerful wake as it passed the pier.
The company argued the vessel’s operation became “out of control” during the incident on the Cooper River.
Moored Ship Allegedly Damaged During Incident
The lawsuit stated that another vessel, the Norway Pearl, was docked at Pier J when the incident happened.
According to court filings, the strong wake allegedly pulled the Norway Pearl away from its mooring lines before forcing it violently back toward the dock.
Carver Maritime said the movement caused additional damage to the pier and surrounding infrastructure.
Details of Settlement Not Released
Officials have confirmed that the dispute has been resolved through a settlement, although specific terms of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed.
It is also unclear whether either side admitted liability as part of the resolution.
The case had drawn attention because of concerns surrounding ship traffic and safety along Charleston’s busy port waterways.
Cooper River Remains Major Shipping Route
The Cooper River serves as a major commercial shipping corridor connected to the Port of Charleston, one of the busiest ports on the East Coast.
Large cargo ships regularly travel through the area, making navigation safety and vessel control critical for nearby docks and maritime operations.
