A major accident has been declared for the newbuilding “Maersk Frankfurt”, which set sail on its maiden voyage just a month ago.
Despite the efforts of the Indian Coast Guard, there are still isolated fires on board. One sailor died. The “Maersk Frankfurt” was off Goa last Friday and was en route to Sri Lanka when the crew reported a fire. According to reports, an explosion had occurred on board the 5,500 TEU container ship, which flies the flag of Panama. Almost the entire crew was rescued, but one member died in the flames.
The containers still on board are to be unloaded in a safe place. As soon as the average adjuster, Richards Hogg Lindley, gives the go-ahead, the containers will be transported onward or delivered.
Fires still on “Maersk Frankfurt”
Although the Indian Coast Guard has deployed considerable resources to extinguish the fire, small fires are still being reported in a number of containers. It was originally expected that the fire would be extinguished within four days.
Salvage specialists are currently on board the “Maersk Frankfurt” to assist the Coast Guard in inspecting the damage and continuing to fight the fire.
The container ship built in Imabari, which was only delivered in June, is owned by the Japanese company Tokei Kaiun, chartered to Maersk and managed by a Hong Kong branch of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement.
