The firefighting operations for Hapag-Lloyd’s 7,500 teu containership Yantian Express continued for a fifth day, after the vessel caught fire off Canada’s east coast on January 4.
continued for a fifth day, after the According to Tim Seifert, a spokesperson of Hapag-Lloyd, two big tugboats Smit Nicobar and Maersk Mobiliser are using high-powered water cannon to try and extinguish the fire.
The fire started in one of the containers onboard the vessel on Thursday when it was on its way to Halifax and the fire spread to other containers in the strong wind in the following days. All the crew have been evacuated without injury.
“The firefighting operations, under the direction of Smit in co-operation with the local crew and the emergency response team in Hamburg, show continuous progress,” Seifert said.
A spokesman from the US Coast Guard said the plan is to have the Maersk Mobiliser tow the container ship to Halifax after the fire is put out, adding that smoke was still pouring from the ship.
“At this time, it is not possible to make a precise estimate of any damage to Yantian Express or its cargo,” Seifert said.
