A lawsuit stemming from a high-profile incident nearly two years ago involving the runaway container ship MSC Michigan VII on the Cooper River is reportedly being settled. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The lawsuit, filed by Carver Maritime Charleston, was brought against the ship’s owner, Kyveli Oceanway Ltd., and operator, Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) Shipmanagement Ltd., following an incident on June 5, 2024, that temporarily shut down traffic on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and caused property damage at the North Charleston Terminal.
Details of the 2024 Incident
According to court filings, the 1,000-foot container ship accelerated to 14 knots — double its normal speed — as it departed the State Ports Authority’s North Charleston Terminal.
The unusually large wake caused the moored vessel Norway Pearl to be violently pushed into Pier Juliet at the former Navy base, damaging both the pier and the ship.
Two recreational boaters also reported non-life-threatening injuries. Police cleared the Ravenel Bridge as the Michigan VII passed safely and the vessel was later brought under control by a local harbor pilot.
The container ship remained under an international detention order for 45 days while investigators ensured it was safe to operate.
Legal Arguments
In their response to the lawsuit, MSC and Kyveli argued that the Norway Pearl’s crew was partly responsible, claiming the vessel’s mooring lines were slack and inadequately tended given changing tides and river conditions.
Lawyers also noted that Pier Juliet is situated on a narrow waterway where large vessels occasionally need to maneuver at higher speeds, increasing the risk of accidents.
Carver Maritime sought more than $500,000 in damages and legal fees, and initially requested that the Michigan VII be sold at auction to cover the costs.
Court Action and Settlement
U.S. District Court Judge David Norton dismissed the lawsuit on May 21. His order allows the complaint to be reopened if a settlement is not finalized within 60 days. Neither Carver Maritime’s attorneys nor the defense representatives provided further comment on the settlement.
Ongoing Federal Investigation and Criminal Charges
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the cause of the runaway ship. Prosecutors previously charged Fernando San Diego San Juan, the Michigan VII’s chief engineer, for failing to report a hazardous condition to the Coast Guard and for providing false information to federal investigators.
The incident was traced to a disconnected linkage rod in the ship’s throttle system, which became stuck in the full-speed-ahead position. Crew members without proper training attempted to fix the problem as the vessel accelerated.
San Juan, a Filipino national, pleaded guilty to two counts and faces up to 11 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 24 in Charleston.
