When the Portugal-registered vessel Mississippi arrived at the Port of Long Beach from Yantian, China, on September 9, 2025, no one expected the routine docking to turn into one of the port’s most complex recovery efforts in years. Shortly after arrival at Pier G, the vessel began to list, causing two rows of stacked containers to collapse—sending dozens tumbling into the harbor.

The containers, filled with goods ranging from shoes and clothing to electronics destined for major U.S. retailers such as Costco, Target, and Walmart, quickly became a logistical and environmental challenge. The Port of Long Beach incident commander, Michael Goldschmidt, described the event as “an extremely rare occurrence that required a unique salvage response.”

 

Coordinated Recovery Effort

 

A multi-agency recovery operation began immediately. The U.S. Coast Guard, port authorities, vessel managers, and several expert salvage and lifting teams worked around the clock to stabilize the site and recover the lost containers. The unified effort prioritized safety, speed, and precision to restore operations as quickly as possible.

By September 26—just over two weeks after the incident—95 containers had been successfully recovered. Port officials credited the success of the operation to close coordination among all partners and the swift response of specialized lifting teams.

 

CERTEX Wilmington Answers the Call

 

Among those called in to assist was CERTEX’s Wilmington, California branch, whose expertise in rigging and lifting solutions proved vital to the recovery. CERTEX was hired by Bob Hill Crane and Ancon Marine, both key contractors in the cleanup, to supply the necessary equipment and technical lift support for the operation.

From shackles and chain assemblies to wire rope and polyester round slings, CERTEX delivered a comprehensive range of lifting gear on short notice. The team also provided fall protection systems and on-site expertise to ensure each lift was conducted safely and efficiently.

“Our Wilmington branch takes pride in being ready for anything,” said Esaul Mota, General Manager at CERTEX Wilmington Branch. “In critical recovery efforts like this, timing and trust matter. Our role was to make sure the crews had exactly what they needed, exactly when they needed it.”

 

Lifting Safely, Responding Quickly

 

The operation’s success underscored the importance of rapid response and collaboration in the lifting industry. CERTEX’s contribution exemplified the company’s core values—safety, reliability, and expertise under pressure.

As normal port operations resumed, the incident stood as a reminder of how essential skilled rigging and lifting professionals are to keeping America’s supply chain moving.

 

When safety and precision matter most, call CERTEX.

Our teams nationwide provide the expertise, equipment, and quick response that make all the difference in critical lifting operations.

 

Contact your nearest CERTEX branch to learn how we can support your next project.

 

Some images courtesy of USCG.