Casualty News

CMA CGM PETRA

Date
August 23, 2026

Type
Cargo hold fire / salvage

Reports have been received that CMA CGM PETRA suffered a fire in one of its cargo holds while sailing through the Strait of Malacca towards Lamu, Kenya on 23 August 2026.  

It is understood that professional salvors were engaged to assist with firefighting and salvage operations. No crew injuries or pollution have been reported. The fire has subsequently been reported as contained, although salvage operations are continuing.

Latest reports indicate that the vessel remains in waters off Penang, Malaysia. As at 1 September 2026, the vessel had not berthed and its scheduled call at Colombo had been missed. General Average has not presently been declared. Industry reports further indicate that the shipowners have entered into a Lloyd’s Open Form salvage agreement, although we have not seen confirmation of this in a subsequent CMA CGM customer advisory.

The vessel’s last port of call before the accident was Singapore. Prior to Singapore, the vessel had called at Qingdao and Nansha in China. Cargo loaded at Qingdao, Nansha and Singapore for East African destinations may therefore be affected. The vessel was proceeding on the KILIMA service towards Colombo, Lamu, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.

As professional salvors have been engaged, claims for salvage are expected to arise. General Average may also be declared. Cargo may also have suffered fire, heat, smoke and/or firefighting water damage.

Dolphin Maritime has many years of experience dealing with claims arising from containership fires, salvage and General Average incidents.

If you are the insurers of cargo on board this vessel and require assistance with any claims arising, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

We can assist with:

• Arranging cargo damage surveys
• Investigating the cause of the incident
• Provision of Average Guarantees
• Provision of Salvage Guarantees (from a premium of 0.50% of the guarantee amount)
• Recovery of losses on NO CURE NO PAY terms
• Defence of General Average claims on NO CURE NO PAY terms
• Representing cargo insurers in relation to LOF Salvage Claims

Photography courtesy of MarineTraffic