Casualty News

ESPIRITO SANTO EXPRESS

Type
Explosion / Fire

Voyage
Singapore / Santos, Brazil

Casualty date: 15 / 16 October 2026

Reports have been received that the Singapore-flagged containership “ESPIRITO SANTO EXPRESS” experienced an explosion followed by a fire while navigating the South Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Brazil, on or about 15/16 October 2026.

The vessel was reportedly fully laden and en route from Singapore to Santos, Brazil, when the incident occurred. A navigational warning issued on 15 October 2026 reported the vessel on fire at approximately latitude 28°17.07’S, longitude 026°47.05’W.

Following the incident, Brazilian authorities were alerted and nearby vessels were requested to assist. A Brazilian aircraft was reportedly dispatched from Rio de Janeiro to support rescue operations. The crew subsequently abandoned the vessel, which was reported adrift. All crew members have since been confirmed safe.

According to the latest report dated 17 October 2026, Hapag-Lloyd, the vessel’s charterer, confirmed that it had been informed of the fire by the vessel’s owner, Seaspan. Measures were being taken to control the situation, while the extent of damage to the vessel and cargo remained under assessment. The cause of the explosion and fire has not yet been established.

As well as possible cargo damage, claims for salvage and general average may arise as a result of this incident.

Dolphin Maritime has many years of experience dealing with claims arising from containership fires.

If you are the insurers of cargo on board this vessel and require assistance with any claims arising, 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
• 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 shipspotting.com