--- title: CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR HIGH STAKES SHIPPING INCIDENT description: One of the largest container vessels in the world blocked a critical international waterway for six days impacting a reported $9.5 billion in trade each day. image: https://corporate.wittobriens.com/hubfs/iStock-1319010528.jpg --- [![Witt O'Briens](https://corporate.wittobriens.com/hubfs/Group%206.png)](https://www.wittobriens.com/) 24/7 EMERGENCY [+1 985 781 0804](tel:+1%20985%20781%200804) - ABOUT - [About Us](https://www.wittobriens.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://wittobriens.com/about-us/meet-the-team) - [Careers](https://wittobriens.com/careers) - [Contract Vehicles](https://wittobriens.com/contract-vehicles) - GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS - [GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/corporate-solutions) - [Emergency Preparedness](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-preparedness) - [Operations Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/operational-planning) - [Training Design & Delivery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-design-delivery) - [Exercise Design & Delivery](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/exercise-design-delivery) - [Community Engagement](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-engagement) - [Programmatic Assesments](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/programmatic-assessments) - [Revocery Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/recovery-planning) - [Response Operations](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/response-operations) - [EOC Support & Staff Augmentation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/eoc-support-staff-augmentation) - [Debris Removal Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/debris-removal-management) - [Interagency Coordination](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/interagency-coordination) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications-2) - [Logistics & Resource Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/logistics-resource-management) - [Environmental Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-services) - [Zero-Waste Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/zero-waste-programs) - [HazMat Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazmat-response) - [Environmental Remediation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-remediation) - [Environmental Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-response) - [Disaster Recovery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/disaster-recovery) - [Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-management) - [FEMA Public Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-public-assistance) - [FEMA IA / Disaster Case Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-ia-disaster-case-management) - [Temporary Housing & Sheltering](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/temporary-housing-sheltering) - [HUD CDBG-DR Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hud-cdbg-dr-programs-2) - [Resilience and Risk Mitigation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resilience-and-risk-mitigation) - [Mitigation Project Development & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/mitigation-project-development-management) - [FEMA Mitigation Consulting: HMGP, 406, FMA, & BRIC Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-mitigation-consulting-hmgp-406-fma-bric-programs) - [CDBG-MIT Program Consulting](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/cdbg-mit-program-consulting) - [Hazard Mitigation Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazard-mitigation-planning) - [Resiliency & Climate Change Adaptation Strategies](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resiliency-climate-change-adaptation-strategies) - [Grants Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-management) - [Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/research-pursuance) - [Training & Technical Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-technical-assistance) - [Program Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-development) - [Grants Office Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-office-development) - [Monitoring & Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/monitoring-compliance) - [Grants Systems Integration](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-systems-integration) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/support-services-program-management) - [Public Advisory Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-services) - [Decision Support Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/decision-support-services) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-support-services-program-management) - [Public-Private Partnerships](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-private-partnerships) - [Change Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/change-management) - [Public Sector Augmentation Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-sector-augmentation-services) - [Citizen Experience Consultation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/citizen-experience-consultation) - [Public Policy Analysis](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-policy-analysis) - [Infrastructure Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-services) - [Community Planning & Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-planning-development) - [Grant/Funding Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grant-funding-research-pursuance) - [Infrastructure Planning & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-planning-management) - [Owner's Rep Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-owners-rep-services) - [Construction & Project Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/construction-project-management) - CORPORATE SOLUTIONS - [CORPORATE SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/government-solutions) - [24/7 Response](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/24-7-response) - [Emergency Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-management) - [Crisis Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-management) - [Business Continuity](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/business-continuity) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications) - [Maritime Solutions](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/maritime-solutions) - [EHS, Regulatory, & Security Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/compliance) - MARKETS - [MARKETS](https://wittobriens.com/markets) - [Education](https://wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Energy](https://wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Finance](https://wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Food & Agriculture](https://wittobriens.com/markets/food-agriculture) - [Government](https://wittobriens.com/markets/government) - [Healthcare](https://wittobriens.com/markets/healthcare) - [Industrial](https://wittobriens.com/markets/industrial) - [IT & Telecom](https://wittobriens.com/markets/it-telecom) - [Shipping & Transportation](https://wittobriens.com/markets/shipping-transportation) - [Stadium & Event Venues](https://wittobriens.com/markets/stadium-event-venues) - RESOURCES - [Center for Grant Excellence](https://government.wittobriens.com/cge?hsLang=en) - [COVID-19 Resources](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Newsroom](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Resource Library](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Case Studies](https://wittobriens.com/resources/case-studies) - [CAREERS](https://www.wittobriens.com/careers) - [CONTACT US](https://wittobriens.com/contact-us) - ABOUT - [About Us](https://www.wittobriens.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://wittobriens.com/about-us/meet-the-team) - [Careers](https://wittobriens.com/careers) - [Contract Vehicles](https://wittobriens.com/contract-vehicles) - GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS - [GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/corporate-solutions) - [Emergency Preparedness](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-preparedness) - [Operations Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/operational-planning) - [Training Design & Delivery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-design-delivery) - [Exercise Design & Delivery](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/exercise-design-delivery) - [Community Engagement](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-engagement) - [Programmatic Assesments](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/programmatic-assessments) - [Revocery Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/recovery-planning) - [Response Operations](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/response-operations) - [EOC Support & Staff Augmentation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/eoc-support-staff-augmentation) - [Debris Removal Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/debris-removal-management) - [Interagency Coordination](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/interagency-coordination) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications-2) - [Logistics & Resource Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/logistics-resource-management) - [Environmental Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-services) - [Zero-Waste Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/zero-waste-programs) - [HazMat Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazmat-response) - [Environmental Remediation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-remediation) - [Environmental Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-response) - [Disaster Recovery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/disaster-recovery) - [Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-management) - [FEMA Public Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-public-assistance) - [FEMA IA / Disaster Case Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-ia-disaster-case-management) - [Temporary Housing & Sheltering](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/temporary-housing-sheltering) - [HUD CDBG-DR Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hud-cdbg-dr-programs-2) - [Resilience and Risk Mitigation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resilience-and-risk-mitigation) - [Mitigation Project Development & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/mitigation-project-development-management) - [FEMA Mitigation Consulting: HMGP, 406, FMA, & BRIC Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-mitigation-consulting-hmgp-406-fma-bric-programs) - [CDBG-MIT Program Consulting](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/cdbg-mit-program-consulting) - [Hazard Mitigation Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazard-mitigation-planning) - [Resiliency & Climate Change Adaptation Strategies](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resiliency-climate-change-adaptation-strategies) - [Grants Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-management) - [Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/research-pursuance) - [Training & Technical Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-technical-assistance) - [Program Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-development) - [Grants Office Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-office-development) - [Monitoring & Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/monitoring-compliance) - [Grants Systems Integration](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-systems-integration) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/support-services-program-management) - [Public Advisory Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-services) - [Decision Support Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/decision-support-services) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-support-services-program-management) - [Public-Private Partnerships](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-private-partnerships) - [Change Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/change-management) - [Public Sector Augmentation Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-sector-augmentation-services) - [Citizen Experience Consultation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/citizen-experience-consultation) - [Public Policy Analysis](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-policy-analysis) - [Infrastructure Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-services) - [Community Planning & Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-planning-development) - [Grant/Funding Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grant-funding-research-pursuance) - [Infrastructure Planning & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-planning-management) - [Owner's Rep Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-owners-rep-services) - [Construction & Project Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/construction-project-management) - CORPORATE SOLUTIONS - [CORPORATE SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/government-solutions) - [24/7 Response](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/24-7-response) - [Emergency Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-management) - [Crisis Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-management) - [Business Continuity](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/business-continuity) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications) - [Maritime Solutions](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/maritime-solutions) - [EHS, Regulatory, & Security Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/compliance) - MARKETS - [MARKETS](https://wittobriens.com/markets) - [Education](https://wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Energy](https://wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Finance](https://wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Food & Agriculture](https://wittobriens.com/markets/food-agriculture) - [Government](https://wittobriens.com/markets/government) - [Healthcare](https://wittobriens.com/markets/healthcare) - [Industrial](https://wittobriens.com/markets/industrial) - [IT & Telecom](https://wittobriens.com/markets/it-telecom) - [Shipping & Transportation](https://wittobriens.com/markets/shipping-transportation) - [Stadium & Event Venues](https://wittobriens.com/markets/stadium-event-venues) - RESOURCES - [Center for Grant Excellence](https://government.wittobriens.com/cge?hsLang=en) - [COVID-19 Resources](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Newsroom](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Resource Library](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Case Studies](https://wittobriens.com/resources/case-studies) - [CAREERS](https://www.wittobriens.com/careers) - [CONTACT US](https://wittobriens.com/contact-us) ![hero img](https://corporate.wittobriens.com/hubfs/iStock-1319010528.jpg) # CASE STUDY: CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR HIGH STAKES SHIPPING INCIDENT One of the largest container vessels in the world blocked a critical international waterway for six days impacting a reported $9.5 billion in trade each day. ## CHALLENGES One of the largest container vessels in the world blocked a critical international waterway for six days impacting a reported $9.5 billion in trade each day. Dramatic imagery and social media propelled the story to the frontpage of media coverage worldwide. The multiple interests involved needed to respond effectively to the media enquiries coming in at a rate of one every four minutes. ### **  SOLUTION** Through our network of global offices, the Witt O’Brien’s team provided round-the-clock crisis communications and reputation management support for its client. We developed and delivered regular updates coordinated between the multiple parties which served to establish the vessel’s interests as the accurate source of information about the situation. ### **RESILIENCE DELIVERED** Witt O’Brien’s communications team handled more than 1,000 calls while the vessel was in the channel. All media enquiries requiring a response received one in a timely fashion and in the necessary language to protect the reputation of the client. Witt O’Brien’s was so successful in its handling of the crisis that less than 0.1% of the more than 200,000 news articles written about the incident were explicitly critical of the vessel’s interests. ### Have Questions? 24/7 Emergency [+1 985 781 0804](tel:+1%20985%20781%200804) ### WITH YOU WHEN IT COUNTS [T: +1 281 320 9796](tel:+1%20281%20320%209796) F: +1 281 320 9700 [Contact Us](https://www.wittobriens.com/contact-us) ![Witt O'Briens](https://corporate.wittobriens.com/hubfs/Group%206.png) - [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/witt-o-brien-s) - [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585762444608) - [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/wittobriens/) - [twitter icon](https://x.com/wittobriens) - [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDvPR5t3W-H-7owrVXXnRA) - [Site Map](https://www.wittobriens.com/site-map) - [Legal Notice](https://www.wittobriens.com/policies/legal-notice) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.wittobriens.com/policies/cookie-policy) - [Client Download Site](https://wittobriens.leapfile.com) - [©2021 Witt O'Briens, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED](https://www.wittobriens.com/)