The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has successfully prevented a potential disaster after a fire broke out aboard the container vessel MSC Capetown III.
According to SLPA, the container vessel was emptying 995 boxes and loading 880 boxes at the Port of Colombo’s Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), which is part of the East Africa Service or South Asia – East Africa Service (Dar El Salam service).
The ship was also transporting 596 through cargo containers (out-port containers).
The incident reportedly occurred in the 41/43 hatch area, when a fire began around 100 under-deck containers and 60 on-deck containers. This fire finally led to an explosion.
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SLPA’s Director of Port Operations, H.J.K.U. Kumara, said: “The vessel berthed at our terminal showed no prior signs of fire. However, during operations, our team identified the precise location from which the smoke was originating, leading to an explosion.
“Our firefighters, led by the Harbour Master and in collaboration with other port services, acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and safely remove the affected cargo. Our timely and decisive actions prevented what could have been a catastrophic event. Investigations into the cause of the fire and the status of the cargo are ongoing.”
