The MOL Charisma is sailing to Singapore where experts will investigate the hold fire incident, which took place off Sri Lanka on 1 September.
MOL confirmed to Container News that the 2007-built container vessel is on its way and is expected to reach Singapore on 13 September.
The Japanese ship owner could not arrange a salvor surveyor and fire experts in either Colombo, Sri Lanka, or at Indian ports, according to reports from alliance partner Hapag-Lloyd. As a result, the 8,110TEU boxship will turn back to Singapore, where experts are available.
Hapag-Lloyd explained that, “Without confirmation that cargo hold no.5 is fully cleared of fire, we are unable to berth the vessel and commence cargo operations at any ports.”
However, a MOL spokesperson told Container News, “There is no change to the ship’s condition and no sign of a temperature increase.” He went on to say, “The experts in Singapore will be able to confirm if the fire is completely extinguished.”
Hapag-Lloyd added it is working on alternative arrangements to accommodate cargo originally intended for the voyage of the MOL Charisma, which was deployed on its Pacific South Loop 3 (PS3) service.
Antonis Karamalegkos
Editor
