One crew member dies in fire on Maersk-chartered container ship
Seatrade Maritime
We provide in-depth journalism and insight into the most impactful news and trends shaping global maritime markets.
The Indian coast guard continues to battle a fire on board the Maersk Frankfurt that has left one seafarer dead.
The Panama-flagged newbuilding chartered by Maersk suffered an explosion on 19 July resulting in a fire while sailing from Mundra to Colombo.
Maersk said on Sunday that the ship’s manager had confirmed the death of one of the crew members. A statement from the Panama Maritime Authority said, “The ship's operator reports a body in the lashing bridge, but it is impossible to reach it because of the flames.”
Maersk said the rest of the crew were safe and accounted. The vessel is reported to be stable although the fire continues to burn.
Efforts by the Indian Coast Guard to extinguish the blaze have continued into their third day. ?The coast guard has deployed four vessels to fight the fire and also used a helicopter to drop 150 kg of dry chemical powder onto the blaze.
More information on this devastating news is available here.