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: 14th July 2012 Type: Explosion/Fire Voyage: Voyage 1225R Central and North America to Europe
*****UPDATE 10TH SEPTEMBER 2012*****
MSC FLAMINIA has now arrived in Germany. We expect cargo discharge to commence in the next few days.
Salvors have quantified their security demand at 75% of cargo value.
Dolphin Maritime is assisting insurers of part of the cargo on board.
*****UPDATE 22ND AUGUST 2012*****
MSC FLAMINIA remains off the coast of the UK at this time. Much of the cargo on board is damaged.
Plans to bring the vessel into port are still being discussed. It seems likely that the vessel will enter a German port, although this is still to be confirmed.
Please note that:
- Dolphin Maritime already acts for the insurers of part of the cargo on board.
- We have surveyors ready to survey the cargo.
- We can provide salvage guarantees as part of the claims handling service and do not charge for issuing salvage guarantees.
- We have a fire expert retained to investigate the cause of the fire and therefore Recovery possibilities.
- As we represent other cargo some costs can be shared.
- We handle Recoveries on no cure no pay terms.
- We can handle Salvage and General Average claims on a fixed fee basis.
*****UPDATE 10TH AUGUST 2012*****
MSC FLAMINIA remains at sea off the coast of the UK, under tow. The Salvors, SMIT, are still trying to arrange a port of refuge for the vessel with the UK Government and other Countries in the area.
Much of the cargo on board has been damaged. Dolphin Maritime acts for the insurers of part of the cargo.
General average has been declared. We are in contact with the Average Adjusters. For cargo that has not been lost it will be necessary for cargo insurers to provide salvage and general average guarantees.
If you have insured cargo on board and require assistance please do let us know. Thank you.
*****UPDATE 3RD AUGUST 2012*****
MSC FLAMINIA remains off the south west coast of the UK. The fire on board has largely been brought under control although smoke is still rising from the vessel and the vessel has a list of around twelve degrees.
Currently discussions are underway with the authorities in the UK and other countries concerning a port of refuge for the vessel.
Much of the cargo in holds 4,5,6 and 7 has been severely damaged by fire and water. Dolphin Maritime already represents the insurers of some cargoes on board.
For the cargo that has not been destroyed the Salvors will require security for their claim. The security demand has not been quantified yet.
Dolphin Maritime is able to provide salvage guarantees as part of our claims handling service. As required by Lloyd’s these guarantees are insured but Dolphin Maritime does not charge any bail fee.
If you are insurers of cargo on board then we look forward to receiving your instructions. Common costs can be shared with our other Clients.
*****UPDATE 25TH JULY 2012*****
MSC FLAMINIA is now under tow towards Europe. Presently she is approximately 200 miles off the French Coast. The fire is understood to be under control.
We expect that the ship will arrive at her port of refuge shortly.
The salvage security demand has not yet been made but will be circulated by Adjusters acting for the Salvors in due course.
It is understood that cargo in three of the vessel’s holds is damaged, some of it badly damaged.
Dolphin Maritime is already assisting insurers of part of the cargo on board. If you have also insured cargo on board then we are ready to assist.
*****UPDATE 20TH JULY 2012*****
As has been widely reported, it is understood that tragically one crewmember was killed as a result of this accident whilst another is still missing.
Three other crewmembers were taken to hospital. The remaining crew members are being repatriated having left the vessel shortly after the explosion.
The Owners of MSC FLAMINIA have signed a Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF) Salvage Contract with Smit. Fire fighting tug FAIRMOUNT EXPEDITION is now on the scene of the casualty (about 600 miles west of the UK).
Two further tugs, ANGLIAN SOVEREIGN and CARLO MAGNO are proceeding to the casualty to assist.
Clearly the priority for the Salvors will be to attempt to bring the fire under control and then to further assess the situation.
Considerable damage to the cargo in hold number 4 is expected but it is also possible that cargo in other holds away from the fire may be undamaged. We have access to a fire investigation expert to investigate the cause of the fire on behalf of cargo insurers.
In due course the insurers of the rescued cargo will be asked to provide Salvage Guarantees before the cargoes can be delivered. These Salvage Guarantees will be required from a company acceptable to Salvors/the Council of Lloyd’s. Dolphin Maritime’s Guarantees are accepted and many hundreds have been provided by us in previous cases.
Unlike some companies, Dolphin Maritime does not charge for issuing guarantees and does so as part of the claims handling service. The cost of insuring the guarantees (insurance being a requirement of the Council of Lloyd’s) is passed to our Clients at cost.
Dolphin Maritime is able to deal with Salvage and General Average claims at competitive rates and has a great deal of experience in handling such claims. Recovery and Defence of General Average can be dealt with on no cure no pay terms. We can also act on a fixed fee basis.
If you have insured cargo on board and require assistance then we look forward to receiving your instructions.
*****INITIAL REPORT*****
Reports have been received that German flag vessel MSC FLAMINIA (75,590gt built 20012) has suffered an explosion and fire on board today.
The containership, currently in the North East Atlantic on a voyage to Europe from the Americas (voyage number 1225R), has been abandoned by her crew. Various vessels are proceeding to the scene to assist.
MSC FLAMINIA’s last port of call was Charleston from where she sailed on 8th July. She was destined for Felixstowe and Bremerhaven. It is likely that she will also be carrying transhipment cargoes to and from other ports around the world.
As well as claims for cargo damage, it is possible that a salvage claim will be made against the owners/insurers of the cargo on board this vessel. It is also possible that general average will be declared.
