This is the moment when a 55-tonne truck-mounted crane is dropped onto the deck of a ship when the ropes snap during the operation to unload it.

The heavy-lifting operation was taking place in the Port of Sao Francisco do Sul, Brazil, on 17th January.

A man can be seen standing on the dock offering instructions as the 55-tonne mobile crane is lifted up in the air with a harness.

But just as it starts to move over the ship, the harness snaps, and the front of the crane smashes down onto the deck of the vessel.

Port officials denied there had been any wrongdoing, saying that the operation “was carried out using adequate and necessary material and was within operating parameters”.

They added: “Before starting the operation, prevention and safety measures were adopted, which is why there was no risk to the physical integrity of any person, nor any type of environmental damage resulting from this accident.”

The Chinese-flagged vessel – named the Chang Chang Nan Hai – had docked at the Port on 15th January carrying more than 200 pieces of equipment, including forklifts and electric trucks.

Officials revealed that the crane was heavily damaged in the fall, adding that insurance claims had already been filed.

The Port of Sao Francisco do Sul is specialised in solid bulk exports, as well as exports of steel products, cellulose pulp, and fertilisers.