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UPDATE: No visible flames on YM Mobility, says Yang Ming
The fire on board YM Mobility seems to be under control with ‘no visible flames on board’ as cooling efforts continue following Friday’s explosion, according to Yang Ming.
There are ‘no visible flames’ on board the YM Mobility, following a massive explosion on Friday that ignited a fire on the Liberian-flagged container ship, according to an update from its operator, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation.
As WorldCargo News reported on Friday, the Post Panamax containership (6,589 TEU) suffered a powerful explosion near its bow. The 2011-built vessel was reportedly berthed at the Ningbo Beilun Phase III Terminal when the blast occurred. The vessel operates on the AG2 service between the Far East and the Middle East Gulf region, a service string of THE Alliance involving Yang Ming (YML), COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, and ONE.
The fire prompted immediate firefighting measures. The company informed on Saturday that cooling efforts with water sprays were ongoing and that all crew members and on-site personnel had been confirmed safe. The exact cause of the incident is still under professional assessment.
However, Yang Ming indicated earlier that preliminary findings suggest that an explosion occurred in a container loaded with dangerous goods on board. According to the shipper’s declaration, the container was a reefer used as a substitute for a dry container, without requiring power connection. According to China Central Television (CCTV), the container was loaded with materials that were vulnerable to explosions, such as lithium batteries and parabens, and it could take three months to repair the vessel.
Ningbo, Zhejiang area of China has been under excessive heat over the past eight days, with temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius.
“To ensure the safety of the vessel and expedite further response, six tugboats have been dispatched for safeguarding. Representatives from P&I Clubs, Classification Societies, and surveyors have been arriving on-site to coordinate with the authorities. Yang Ming’s technical personnel are providing 24/7 on-site support to assess the impact of the fire and the seaworthiness of YM Mobility,” the company said.
Once the incident is fully resolved, Yang Ming will evaluate the feasibility of vessel repairs, cargo transhipment, and any necessary schedule adjustments.
Market impact
Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst, said: “This type of incident should never happen and is another example of how one failure in ocean container shipping can have catastrophic consequences.
“Had this explosion happened at sea rather than at berth in port then the crew and ship would have been in even more perilous danger.
“An investigation will take place and the industry must learn from it. Container ships are used to transport hazardous and potentially explosive cargo, so it is of paramount importance that robust safety measures are in place.”
Sand does not believe the explosion on the YM Mobility will have a significant impact on the market.
“Ningbo-Zhoushan is a hugely important and well-connected port in the Far East, second only to Shanghai in China and on par with Singapore. It is a critical hub for container shipping and this incident is deeply concerning from a safety perspective, but it is unlikely it will have a significant impact on the market,” he added.