Fire Reignites on COSCO Car Carrier After a Month at Sea
Panama detects new hot spot on abandoned 7,500-vehicle vessel as salvage teams struggle to cool the stern.
A fire that disabled the Chinese car carrier Min Jiang Kou more than a month ago appears to have flared up again, with Panama reporting a new hot spot on the abandoned vessel. Tugs are now working to cool the stern of the 200-metre ship, which remains without power as salvage teams attempt to stabilise it for a tow to an Asian shipyard.
The Panama Maritime Authority confirmed late on September 7 that a temperature increase had been detected on the Min Jiang Kou, which has been drifting offshore since its crew abandoned ship on August 8. Images broadcast by Panamanian television showed smoke billowing from the vessel’s stern, with three tugs spraying water in an effort to control the blaze.
Salvage Efforts Complicated by Persistent Fire Risks
The Min Jiang Kou, a 19,181 dwt carrier with a capacity of 7,500 vehicles, was en route to an Asian shipyard for repairs when the latest incident occurred.
COSCO Shipping Holdings
The initial fire broke out in the engine room on August 8, prompting the crew to seal the space and deploy the vessel’s carbon dioxide fire suppression system. However, smoke levels rose within hours, forcing the captain to order the 22 crewmembers to abandon ship. They were rescued by the vessels Jin Hai Ping and Degu and later transported to Japan.
By late August, salvage teams led by Resolve Marine had stabilised the vessel and begun towing it toward Panama. The plan was to prepare the Min Jiang Kou for a trans-Pacific tow to a shipyard, but the recent temperature spike has delayed those efforts. The vessel remains offshore, with no timeline for when it might resume its journey.
The incident also underscores the challenges of salvage operations in remote locations. The Min Jiang Kou was initially reported in distress 630 miles south of Costa Rica, far from major shipping lanes. The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated the initial rescue, but the vessel’s subsequent drift toward Panama has placed the burden of monitoring on local authorities.
As of September 10, the Panama Maritime Authority has not provided an update on when the vessel will be deemed safe for towing.
The Min Jiang Kou’s maiden voyage in July 2024 from Dubai marked a milestone for COSCO’s expansion into specialised car transport. The vessel also made headlines a year ago for delivering the first RoRo shipment to Peru’s Chancay port, a facility developed in partnership with China.
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