General Average has been declared by charterers after the containership ZIM CHARLESTON suffered a cargo fire off Colombo earlier this month.
Namely, insurance firm WK Webster informed that it has received reports that container ship, ZIM CHARLESTON experienced a fire in cargo hold no. 4 whilst navigating off Colombo on 8 August 2022.
Now, the company provided another update, informing operators that a General Average has been declared.
It is reported that approximately 300 containers may have been affected by the fire, heat and smoke, and water damage arising from the subsequent firefighting operations.
The vessel is also reported to have berthed at East Container Terminal, Colombo, where containers stowed on deck in the affected bays were discharged on 12 August 2022.
Further investigations are being made at Colombo to ensure if it is safe to discharge containers from the affected hold.
According to WK Webster:
General Average security will be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we are likely to be able to assist in that regard
