A fire broke out on board one of the largest ships in the container shipping industry, the LNG-ready 18,000 TEU Barzan, owned by the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), while under way to Felixtowe, UK.
The fire was detected in the hold number two early Tuesday, while the ship was some 60 miles off Cape Finisterre, at the north-western tip of Spain, The Arabian Supply Chain quoted UASC as saying in a customer advisory.
The crew managed to put out the fire, however; the giant ship was diverted to the Port of Rotterdam for discharging of cargo and necessary inspection. There have been no reports of injuries.
UASC is yet to reply to World Maritime News’ request for comment.
Based on the latest vessel tracking data from Marine Traffic, Barzan remains moored in Rotterdam area.
According to the customer advisory, the ship’s regular cargo service will be delayed, most probably by September 20.
Barzan is deployed on Ocean Three’s Asia-Europe service calling at Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Port Kelang, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Felixtowe.
The boxship is currently the biggest ship in UASC’s fleet, boasting an overall length of 400 metres, breadth of 58.68 metres, depth of 30.6 metres and a draught of 16 metres.
This is the second fire aboard a UASC ship in less than a month.
The 13,500 TEU MS Alula caught fire while in the port of Hamburg on August 28.
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