Two Boxship Fires Rage On: Salvage Teams Battle Flames
HMM Platinum nears fire control while Espirito Santo Express remains adrift 1,000 miles from Brazil with active blazes.
Salvage teams are actively addressing fires aboard two separate containerships, with updates from vessel owners Seaspan and HMM underscoring the challenges of maritime firefighting operations.
The HMM Platinum, a 63,000 dwt vessel carrying around 2,300 TEU, has been combating a fire since early October. The blaze was first reported south of Lavanono, Madagascar, during its voyage from India to Brazil. According to HMM, firefighting efforts have advanced to the “final dampening-down stage,” with plans to dock at a nearby port for further assessment once the fire is fully extinguished.
Firefighting Efforts Persist on Two Stricken Containerships: Salvage Teams
The ship’s automatic identification system (AIS) continues to signal “Restricted Manoeuvrability” as it moves at less than 1 knot. Initially heading toward Durban, the vessel has remained offshore due to unfavorable weather. An HMM spokesperson confirmed that while the ship attempted to reach a South African port, it is currently holding position at sea. Tugboats are on standby as a precaution, though no towing operation has been initiated.
Hapag-Lloyd
The HMM Platinum departed Kattupalli International Container Terminal in India on September 27, with a scheduled month-long journey to Santos, Brazil. The vessel has been stationed east of South Africa for over two weeks, with all 24 crewmembers reported safe.
HMM Platinum Nears Fire Containment Amid Adverse Conditions
In the South Atlantic, salvage teams have reached the Espirito Santo Express, a 132,789 dwt containership abandoned by its crew on October 15. The vessel, built in 2018 with a capacity of 11,800 TEU, was operating under charter to Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express (ONE) when smoke and fire were detected in the cargo bay forward of the accommodation block.
Seaspan, the ship’s owner, stated that firefighting operations are ongoing to stabilize the vessel. However, the full extent of the damage and its impact on cargo remain under evaluation. Hapag-Lloyd has informed customers that detailed information on cargo conditions is not yet available, prioritizing incident management and vessel stabilization.
Both incidents highlight the complexities of responding to fires at sea, with salvage teams working to secure the vessels amid challenging conditions.
“The vessel attempted to proceed to a port in South Africa but is currently remaining offshore due to adverse weather conditions.”
HMM Spokesperson
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