The hotspots onboard the ultra large container ship ‘Maersk Honam’ have been almost extinguished and the vessel is now tentatively expected to berth next week, when the discharging operations will commence, according to data provided by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). If everything proceeds as planned, the operations are estimated to last 4 to 7 days.
The 15,000 TEU boxship was en route from Singapore to Suez, on 6 March, when it sustained a serious fire in one of its cargo holds, southeast of Salalah, Oman, resulting in five dead crewmen. 22 crew members were successfully evacuated.
Earlier, Maersk Line notified that berthing and discharging operations after the accident will result in high extraordinary costs. As a result, it decided to declare General Average.
We respectfully remind you that it is imperative to ensure that your insurers submit the GA and Salvage security bonds to allow release.
Salvors have confirmed this morning their demand for salvage security in height of 42.5%. An additional 11.5% is required by Richard Hogg Lindley (RHL) as GA deposit. The submission of the GA and Salvage securities is a prerequisite for the cargo to be released for on-carriage from Jebel Ali.
Following completion of the discharging operations, the containers identified as potentially damaged will undergo an inspection at Jebel Ali and relevant customers will be invited to be represented at a joint inspection, MSC added.
Containers that are identified as sound will be loaded at first opportunity to reach their final destination, provided GA and Salvage securities have been submitted and released confirmed by RHL.
