Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping carrier, has reported a fire starting inside a container on one of its vessels, the second fire to strike the carrier line in the last month.
The company stated that on March 16, 2018, at 20:50 EST, the 6188 TEU Maersk Kensington reported a container on fire in a cargo hold while travelling from Salalah, Oman, towards Suez.
Unlike the first fire, which has so far resulted in the company confirming three crewmember deaths, this latest incident has seen all 26 crew members escape harm, with the fire reported as “contained”.
In its announcement, Maersk Line stated: “Safety measures were taken immediately.
“The crew reacted swiftly and as per procedure, by release of CO2 into the cargo hold to contain the fire.
“The cause of the container fire is currently unknown.
“However, initial investigation indicate there is no link between the cargo in the cargo hold where the fire began on Maersk Kensington and the cargo in the cargo hold which caught fire on Maersk Honam on March 6, 2018.
“MLL, in coordination with Maersk Line, will investigate the matter thoroughly in cooperation with all relevant authorities.
“Maersk Kensington is currently at anchor outside the port of Salalah, and is getting assistance from shore.”
