Casualty News

MSC HERMES III

Date
September 22, 2026

Type
Distress / crew abandonment / vessel adrift

Voyage
Shanghai, China / Hong Kong / Jakarta, Indonesia

Reports have been received that MSC HERMES III issued a distress alert at about 0845 hrs Singapore time on 22 September 2026 whilst approximately 300 km east of Vietnam in the South China Sea.

All 25 crew members subsequently abandoned the vessel in a lifeboat. Following a request for assistance coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Singapore, the crew were rescued by the containership MSC RUBY. All crew members were reported safe and no injuries were reported.

Following the abandonment, MSC HERMES III remained afloat but unmanned and drifting in the South China Sea. A navigational warning subsequently described the vessel as derelict and adrift in the vicinity of 11°45’N, 112°15’E. As at the latest reports, no confirmed towage or salvage arrangements have been announced.

The cause of the casualty has not yet been confirmed. There have been reports suggesting that a fire may have occurred on board, although this has not been officially confirmed by the authorities or MSC.

The vessel’s last port of call before the casualty was Hong Kong, following an earlier call at Shanghai, and she was proceeding towards Jakarta, Indonesia.

Containerised cargo is understood to remain on board the vessel. However, the actual number of laden containers and the nature and value of the cargo have not presently been publicly confirmed. Given that the vessel remains unmanned and adrift, cargo interests may face exposure to delay, possible physical damage, deterioration of temperature-sensitive cargo and expenses associated with any eventual salvage or towage operation.

As the vessel has been abandoned by her crew and remains adrift, it is possible that salvage services may be required. General Average may also be declared depending on the measures taken to preserve the vessel and cargo.

Dolphin Maritime has many years of experience dealing with major containership casualties, including vessel abandonment, salvage and General Average matters. 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
• Monitoring the vessel’s status and protecting cargo interests pending salvage, towage or discharge arrangements

Photography courtesy of Vessel Finder