If you have insured cargo on board the following vessels and would like us to assist you in pursuing any claims arising from these incidents (or any similar cases), or if you require assistance in providing GA or salvage guarantees, please contact us as soon as possible.
Date: 02.07.09 Type: Fire Voyage: Asia/Europe (V.No believed to be 028W)
Update 16th July
The fire expert is attending, and when his findings are available we will be reporting to our clients. So far, 263 of the 2900 containers on board are damaged either by fire or water. We have access to a list of those containers damaged and are happy to check (as a free of charge service) whether your insured cargo is on the list of damaged cargo or not. We are currently performing this exercise for our clients. Some of the damaged cargo is on barges still, having been discharged from the vessel.
The estimated reserve for GA is 12%
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Update 10th July
We have appointed a fire expert from Malaysia to attend to evaluate the cause of the fire. We are sharing the fire expert with other cargo interests. The findings of the fire expert will be useful in determining the cause of the fire and of assistance in identifying the particular cargo that was the cause of the fire. There are rumours that the container at the seat of the fire contained garments and suitcases and similar items.
It is believed that the ship could leave Hong Kong as soon as Wednesday next week. We are dealing with security and the investigation/recovery for our clients. GA Bonds will be required from the cargo owners in the usual manner.
We are also dealing with cargo surveys and PA damage to cargo from extinguishing water. There is also reefer cargo which was without power for some time.
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Update 7th July
Please note that GA has been declared and we understand RHL are appointed. If you require assistance please do contact us.
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Update
We understand the fire occurred an hour after departure from port. The vessel deployed CO2 in hold 7 where the fire originated, but it did not extinguish the fire because of the type of hatchcovers which are not airtight (which are often found on container ships).
Thereafter hold 7 was flooded. Smoke has apparently come from hold 6, although it may well be just smoke from hold 7 which came through to hold 6 via ventilation passages.
The fire seemed to originate in the cargo in hold 7 although there was no manifested dangerous cargo in that hold. There is a rumour of personal effects being stowed in the area near the seat of the fire.
The vessel cannot get into port until the fire is out and hold 7 dewatered. As a result of this requirement, the deck cargo above hold 7 will be taken off onto barges. This operation is expected to occur tomorrow evening.
The loss of virtually all the cargo in hold 7 and a GA claim made against the rest of the cargo on board is almost inevitable.
If you have insured cargo on board and require assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Reports have been received that Panama flag vessel MOL PROSPERITY (71902gt built 2006) is on fire outside Hong Kong.
The fire is understood to have been burning for four days and has its origins in hold numbers 6 and 7 which are understood to contain hazardous cargoes.
Fire-fighters based in Hong Kong are understood to be tackling the blaze but damage to the vessel and her cargo, especially forward of the accommodation, will be extensive. It is likely the cargo will also need to be transhipped.
The vessel trades between the Mediterranean and ports in the Far East. It is likely that she will have on board transhipment cargoes destined for and loaded at other worldwide destinations.
As well as cargo damage being suffered, it is possible that salvage claims will be made against the owners/insurers of the cargo on board. It is also possible that general average will be declared.
