CREW STOPS FIRE FROM SPREADING ON 19,000-TEU MAERSK SHIP OFF LIBERIA
Four external assets, including three tugboats and an offshore supply vessel with firefighting systems, arrived to support the operation.
The crew of Maersk’s ultra-large container ship Marie Maersk managed to contain a fire that broke out on board while the vessel was sailing off the Liberian coast last week, the company confirmed.
The incident began on Wednesday morning, 13 August 2025, when smoke was detected coming from containers on the vessel. At the time, the Danish-flagged ship was en route from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia.
Maersk said the crew immediately began firefighting and kept the situation under control. The company confirmed that all crew members remain safe and that the vessel is stable, with its machinery, steering, and navigation systems working normally.
Over the weekend, the crew’s continuous firefighting stopped the blaze from spreading. In recent days, four external assets, including three tugboats and an offshore supply vessel with firefighting systems, arrived to support the operation.
The company added that firefighting efforts are expected to intensify once external firefighters are able to board Marie Maersk and take over part of the operation, giving some relief to the ship’s crew.
Maersk also said the vessel is being diverted to a port of refuge, which is still being considered, so that landside support can be secured quickly. Its Crisis Response Team is in constant contact with the crew to provide guidance and assistance.
For now, the impact on the cargo remains uncertain. Due to the conditions inside the affected cargo bays, Maersk said it is not yet possible to confirm the extent of the damage. When asked about the contents of the affected containers, the company said that this will only be investigated once the fire has been fully extinguished.
The Marie Maersk, built in 2013, sails under the Danish flag and has a carrying capacity of 19,076 TEU. It operates on the Gemini Cooperation’s Asia–Europe AE4 service.
Reference: Reuters
Disclaimer :
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Disclaimer :
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction
