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Tag: Container ship

Morning Midas

Morning Midas

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

Around midnight on June 3, the 183 meter long, 12250 dwt car carrier Morning Midas (IMO: 9289910) caught fire in the North Pacific Ocean some 300 miles south of Adak, Alaska. The Morning Midas departed from Yantai, China with over 3100 vehicles with 65 electric and over 600 hybrid vehicles bound for Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. While en route the crew detected smoke from one of the vehicle decks. The crew attempted to contain the blaze by using the vessel’s onboard fire suppression system.  Unfortunately, the system was unable to stop the blaze which continued to spread to other decks on the vessel.

By the afternoon of June 3, the fire was out of control and the crew alerted the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard sent out a broadcast alerting vessels in the area to assist while multiple Coast Guard aircraft were deployed from bases in Adak and Kodiak. The 22 crew on board the Morning Midas safely evacuated into the vessel’s life raft and were rescued by the 355.5 meter long containership Cosco Hellas (IMO: 9308510) which had responded to the distress call.  There were no injuries reported.

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

The Coast Guard has stated they are monitoring the car carrier as smoke could still be seen billowing out from its decks. The vessels owners have arranged for a tug with firefighting equipment be sent in the hope the fire can be extinguished and the Morning Midas can be taken under tow. News reports state the fire may have started by possibly one of the lithium-ion batteries used by electric cars. If a lithium-ion battery fire is not detected early, there is a high risk of a runaway thermal reaction.

The Coast Guard is also monitoring the situation for possible oil pollution if the Morning Midas sinks before the fire is extinguished. Reports state there is 350 tons of diesel and 1530 tons of fuel oil on board the car carrier.

 

 

Collision on Western Scheldt

Collision on Western Scheldt

Beringzee
Photo: KNRM

On the afternoon of May 30, the 170 meter long container ship Containerships Nord (IMO: 9813993) collided with the 110 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Beringzee (MMSI: 205508590) on the Western Scheldt near Paal, Netherlands. The two vessels had departed from Antwerp when the Containerships Nord struck the stern of the Beringzee.  The Beringzee sustained significant hull damage to the starboard section of the stern with the wheelhouse and living quarters suffering water ingress.

One Beringzee crew member fell overboard and sustained serious injuries. The crew member was transferred to a police boat and later airlifted by helicopter to hospital. There were no reports of injuries or damage to the Containerships Nord.

To keep the the damaged Beringzee afloat, the two self propelled barges the 80 meter long Kevalia (MMSI: 226001810) and 110 meter long Verity (MMSI: 205383490) came to the aid and help stabilized the tanker-barge. Authorities have placed oil booms around the Beringzee as some oil pollution could be seen around the vessel. Reports state two tugs took the Beringzee under tow on May 31 and proceeded to Terneuzen.  The Containerships Nord proceeded under its own power to Flushing where it was inspected. The incident is being investigated by authorities.

 

Lila Canada

Lila Canada

Lila Canada
Photo: KEGM

On May 23, the 148 meter long, 13760 dwt container ship Lila Canada (IMO: 9332717) became disabled in the Sea of Marmara near Sarayburnu, Turkey. The Lila Canada was en route to Sulina from Piraeus when it suffered engine failure. Turkish authorities dispatched the tugs 197 gt Kurtarma 11 (IMO: 9854399) and  272 gt Mehmetçik (IMO: 9816268) to assist the vessel. The tugs were able take the Lila Canada under tow and proceeded to Ahırkapı where it dropped anchor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.