Fire on Maersk Seoul last month prompts order

MAERSK Line has imposed a ban on shipments of calcium hypochlorite by certain vendors after a recent fire on board one of its containerships.

Although it is not yet clear whether an explosion and subsequent blaze on the 8,400 teu Maersk Seoul was caused by calcium hypochlorite, a bleaching and water-purifying agent, the line has taken action as a precaution.

Several containers on the ship were destroyed in the fire last month as Maersk Seoul passed the coast of Oman, forcing it to return to an anchorage off Jebel Ali.

In the past, calcium hypochlorite fires have gutted ships. In 1999, CMA Djakarta was badly damaged by fire thought to have been started by the chemical.

Other notorious containership fires in recent years include those on the 4,400 teu Hanjin Pennsylvania in 2002, Hyundai Fortune in 2008, and the 8,200 teu Charlotte Maersk in 2010.

The Hyundai Fortune and Hanjin Pennsylvania infernos were attributed to fireworks.

However, Maersk Line tightened up its safety requirements covering the transport of calcium hypochlorite following the Charlotte Maersk blaze.

Now it has taken further action after the Maersk Seoul incident, issuing a notice to customers saying that it would cease carrying calcium hypochlorite on its ships with immediate effect.

The ban applies to certain vendors in India and China, because of the way the cargo is packed and the type of containers used.

Friday 14 August 2015, 08:01 by Janet Porter; Lloyd's List