Port Klang: The boxship Charlotte Maersk is on fire in the Malacca Strait after leaving Port Klang bound for Oman. According to industry sources a fire started in a container carrying dangerous goods at 2130hrs local time yesterday after the 8,194 teu Charlotte Maersk had left Port Klang. “We can confirm that the captain on board Charlotte Maersk, currently off Port Klang in Malaysia, has reported a fire on the foredeck of the vessel,” a Maersk spokesperson told Seatrade Asia Online. “The vessel has initiated fire fighting procedures. Our priority right now is to assist the vessel in extinguishing the fire and ensure the safety of the crew, vessel and cargo. We do not have any further details at this point." The Malaysian authorities are understood to have sent fire fighting vessels to the help put out the fire on the Charlotte Maersk. There are no reports of any injuries to crew members or pollution. The vessel’s engines and thrusters are understood remain operational. [08/07/10] Seatrade Asia
Oman-bound ship catches fire off Port Klang
PORT KLANG: The MV Charlotte Maersk, a vessel ferrying 1,000 containers and 21 crew members bound for Oman, caught fire in the Malacca Straits, about 60 nautical miles off here.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) said it received a call at about 10.10pm on Wednesday and rushed a rescue ship and speedboat to the scene at about midnight.
“All the crew members are safe and unhurt,” it said in a statement yesterday.
APMM said that some of the containers were still burning despite efforts to put out the fire.
An amphibious Bombardier aircraft and additional rescue boats were on standby to provide aid.
As of Thursday evening, efforts were still on going to put out the blaze.
Seatrade Asia Online, a maritime news portal, quoted sources as saying that the fire started in one of the containers after the vessel left Port Klang.
“The vessel has initiated fire fighting procedures.
“Our priority right now is to assist the vessel in extinguishing the fire and ensure the safety of the crew, vessel and cargo,” a Maersk spokesperson was quoted as saying.
The Star
Charlotte Maersk - IMO 9245744, dwt 109400, capacity 7226 TEU, flag Denmark built 2002, speed 24.5 knots, manager A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S.
