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Report |
---------- UPDATE 1 ----------
20 August 2025
* Further to our previous report concerning the fire on board container ship MARIE MAERSK (IMO: 9619933), it is reported that the crew have succeeded in stopping the spread of the fire with assistance from three tugs and a platform supply vessel equipped with firefighting equipment.
* Salvage services are being rendered to the vessel by professional salvors under commercial terms and dedicated firefighters are expected to board the vessel, when conditions allow, to provide further firefighting assistance to fully extinguish the fire.
* We understand that the crew members are all reported safe and the vessel is stable, with all machinery, steering, and navigational equipment functioning. The vessel is expected to be diverted to a port of refuge, although the size of the vessel limits the availability of ports in the region able to accept the vessel.
* MAERSK advise that they are currently unable to assess the extent of damage to cargo affected by the fire. It is inevitable that cargo stowed near the vicinity of the fire will have suffered fire, heat, and/or smoke damage and/or wet damage and we have cargo surveyors on hand to establish the extent of damage to any cargo so affected, as necessary.
* We have already been instructed by certain Cargo Insurers and we have retained a fire expert to investigate the cause of the fire. We may therefore be able to offer certain economies of scale in respect of such third party costs which may need to be incurred.
* It also remains possible that General Average will be declared. If so, General Average security may also be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we are likely to be able to assist in that regard.
* We therefore recommend that you contact us urgently if you are concerned with any cargo on board this vessel so that we can immediately start taking steps to protect your interests.
----------ORIGINAL-----------
* We have received reports that container ship MARIE MAERSK (IMO: 9619933) experienced a serious fire on board whilst in a position off the southwestern coast of Liberia on 13 August 2025.
* It is reported that the smoke was first observed from containers on deck, and the vessel remains ablaze. Consequently, two tugs are in attendance to provide firefighting assistance and the vessel has diverted towards Liberia for shore-based firefighting efforts.
* All crew members are reported safe and remain on board assisting with firefighting and emergency operations.
* If Salvage services are provided under LOF terms, Salvage Security will be required from all Cargo Interests on termination of the Salvage services, and we are likely to be able to assist in that regard. Salvage Security provided by WKW is acceptable to the Council of Lloyd’s and widely preferred by professional Salvors.
* General Average may also be declared, in which case General Average security will also be required from all cargo interests prior to the delivery of their cargo, and we will be able to assist in that regard also.
* It is also likely that cargo stowed near the vicinity of the fire will have suffered fire, heat, and/or smoke damage and/or wet damage, being the consequence of the firefighting operation, and we have cargo surveyors on hand to establish the extent of damage to any cargo so affected, as necessary.
* Given the apparent seriousness of the situation, we recommend that you contact us urgently if you are concerned with any cargo on board this vessel so that we may immediately start taking steps to protect your interests. |
