Container ship MAERSK SEOUL was reported to suffer explosion on board on July 19 in Strait of Hormuz, en route from Dubai to Jeddah. Vessel was taken to Hulaylah Terminal, probably towed there, and stayed at terminal until July 30, then moved to Dubai and on Aug 2 was anchored at Mina Rashid anchorage, Dubai, where she’s staying now, as of morning Aug 7.
It is understood, that forwarders and cargo owners don’t have information and started to worry. Some of the containers are transit ones, sources say the vessel was carrying a number of containers of South African citrus bound for the Middle East, however, according to fruitnet.com, no details are known about who the affected companies are.
According to available information, explosion occurred in container or containers, and most probably, caused fire. The vessel apparently was restricted in movements or maybe disabled. Vessel is, for all purposes, inoperable, undergoing emergency or salvage works. Forwarders meanwhile, are trying to get from Maersk information with regards to their containers and cargoes, according to fruitnet.com:
“We are currently awaiting feedback from Maersk and additional information for the vessel’s movements before and after the incident,” Werner van Rooyen of South Africa’s Fresh Produce Exporters Forum told Fruitnet.
It is understood, that forwarders and cargo owners don’t have information and started to worry. Some of the containers are transit ones, sources say the vessel was carrying a number of containers of South African citrus bound for the Middle East, however, according to fruitnet.com, no details are known about who the affected companies are.
According to available information, explosion occurred in container or containers, and most probably, caused fire. The vessel apparently was restricted in movements or maybe disabled. Vessel is, for all purposes, inoperable, undergoing emergency or salvage works. Forwarders meanwhile, are trying to get from Maersk information with regards to their containers and cargoes, according to fruitnet.com:
“We are currently awaiting feedback from Maersk and additional information for the vessel’s movements before and after the incident,” Werner van Rooyen of South Africa’s Fresh Produce Exporters Forum told Fruitnet.
Date: 22/07/2015
Type: Containership, Fire on Board
Vessel: MAERSK SEOUL
Location: Ras Al Khaimah
We have learned of an incident involving the vessel MAERSK SEOUL, a Liberia flag, 2006 built, 94,483gt Fully Cellular Containership, on a voyage from Jebel Ali to Jeddah.
MAERSK SEOUL is reported to have sustained a fire and explosion on board, off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah. The vessel is now returning to Jebel Ali.
If W.E. Cox Claims Group can be of assistance in providing guarantees, arranging surveys, adjusting potential losses or undertaking recovery please do not hesitate to contact us.
MAERSK SEOUL CASUALTY SUMMARY
| Vessel Name | MAERSK SEOUL |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Flag | Liberian |
| Tons Gross | 94,483 |
| Built | 2006 |
| Cargo | General cargo in containers |
| Salvors | Al Mubarak Overseas LLC |
| Casualty Date | 19 Jul 2015 |
| Date Reported | 20 Jul 2015 |
| LOF Date | 19 Jul 2015 |
| LOF edition | 2011 |
| Region | The Gulf, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean |
| SCOPIC Incorporated | Yes |
| SCOPIC Invoked | Unknown |
| SCR | |
| Case Manager | Kevin Clarke |
| Arbitrator's Name | |
| Casualty Details | On fire and adrift off the coast of Oman, in approximate position 26 27.5N / 056 07.3E, 19 July, 2015. |
| Casualty Type | Fire/Explosion |
| Security Details | Before releasing the salved cargo the salvors require salvage security for the United States Dollar equivalent of 12.5% of the CIF value of each cargo interest. Please contact the Salvage Arbitration Branch (kevin.clarke@lloyds.com) for further details. |
| Full Case Reports |
Maersk Seoul suffers fire off the UAE coast
The incident occurred on July 22 while the vessel was en route from Jebel Ali carrying fruit cargo. Preliminary reports show that the fire was caused by an explosion in some of the containers.
Maersk Seoul was taken to Hulaylah Terminal. It stayed there for about a week and on August 2 it was anchored at Mina Rashid.
One of Maersk's client,s Werner van Rooyen of South Africa’s Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, said for Fruitnet:
“We are currently awaiting feedback from Maersk and additional information for the vessel’s movements before and after the incident. The vessel has not called at South Africa for the last two months so any cargo affected is likely to be cargo at transhipment ports.”
Photo: Manuel Hernández Lafuente