13/08/2026
MSC fined $6m over Charleston runaway probe, Filipino Chief Engineer sentenced 🔻🔻
MSC Shipmanagement Limited has been fined $6 million and placed on four years of probation following a federal investigation into a 2024 runaway container ship incident in Charleston Harbor.
Case Details & Direct Causes
The case stems from a June 5, 2024, incident involving the container ship MSC Michigan VII. While outbound on the Cooper River, the vessel suffered a severe propulsion failure where the main engine became stuck at a "full throttle" speed of approximately 16 to 17 knots and failed to slow down.
The Mechanical Issue: Prior to the incident, the ship's crew had been manually adjusting a linkage rod between the engine governor and fuel rack to forcefully match engine speeds to commands from the bridge—a highly dangerous task that none of the engineering crew was qualified to do. The runaway occurred when the linkage rod completely disconnected, causing a loss of engine control.
Safety & Infrastructure Scares: Occurring just over two months after the fatal Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, the runaway ship prompted emergency responses. Local authorities rushed to completely block and evacuate the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and clear nearby beaches.
Damages: While the harbor pilot managed to guide the vessel safely beneath the bridge into open water, the ship's massive wake injured two recreational boaters and caused over $500,000 in damages to other vessels and local port facilities.
The Cover-Up and Charges
The $6 million criminal penalty stems heavily from a deliberate cover-up orchestrated by the ship's command.
Obstruction of Justice: The vessel's Chief Engineer, Fernando San Diego San Juan, lied to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) during inspections. He claimed no one had ever adjusted the engine linkage rod and ordered three other crew members to lie to federal investigators to keep their stories aligned.
Unreported Defects: The investigation revealed massive, ongoing engine room deficiencies that were hidden from authorities. These included broken main air compressors (operating at 60% capacity) and faulty generators that could not sustain enough power to use the bow thruster, leaving the ship at severe risk of blackouts during harbor maneuvers.
Legal Outcomes
MSC Shipmanagement Limited: Pleaded guilty to failing to report a hazardous condition and obstructing federal investigations. In addition to the $6 million fine, the operator must implement strict root-cause analysis procedures to overhaul its fleet machinery safety.
Chief Engineer Fernando San Diego San Juan: Pleaded guilty to failing to report a hazardous condition and obstructing agency proceedings. He was separately handed a $2,000 fine and ordered to return to the Philippines.
