Update: 03.11.2026
ONE and Hapag-Lloyd have provided further updates on the fire aboard the Espirito Santo Express, which broke out on 15 October.
According to both carriers, information received from the vessel owner indicates that the vast majority of the cargo is expected to be either severely damaged by the fire or a total loss.
The fire is now reported to be under control. However, both carriers state that it will take considerable time to bring the vessel to a Port of Refuge, where the extent of the damage can be assessed in more detail.
Hapag-Lloyd said that once the vessel has reached the Port of Refuge and an initial inspection and assessment have been completed, it will contact customers whose containers may be salvageable to arrange the necessary cargo surveys.
ONE similarly stated that it will provide a further update once the vessel has arrived at the Port of Refuge and the initial inspection and assessment have been completed.
The latest information marks a significant change from Hapag-Lloyd's 22 October update, when firefighting operations were still ongoing and the carrier said it was not yet possible to determine the condition of individual cargoes or containers.
Original article: 19.10.2026
Update: 23.10.2026
On 22 October, Hapag-Lloyd provided an update on the fire incident on board containership Espirito Santo Express.
Describing the incident as "serious", the German carrier writes that "firefighting operations are ongoing with efforts focused on managing the incident and stabilising the vessel."
The incident's complete scope and its effects on the ship and its cargo are still being evaluated.
The carrier also noted they it is currently unable to ascertain the state of certain cargoes or containers.
"At this moment, it is also not yet possible to determine when detailed information about cargo damage will become available," says Hapag-Lloyd.
Seaexplorer data shows that the vessel, which currently appears in the South Atlantic Ocean, is deployed for three services, namely ONE's SX1, MSC's IPANEMA and Hapag-Lloyd's AS2.
Original article: 19.10.2026
A fire has been reported aboard the Singapore-flagged containership Espirito Santo Express while it was sailing from Singapore to Santos, Brazil.
Hapag-Lloyd announced the incident on 16 October after being informed by Seaspan, the vessel’s head owner. The ship is currently chartered by Hapag-Lloyd.
Seaspan confirmed that all crew members were safe and accounted for. Hapag-Lloyd said measures were being taken to bring the situation under control.
The exact location of the fire was not disclosed. The extent of the incident also remained unclear, with any potential impact on the vessel and its cargo still being assessed.
Based on available seaexplorer data, the 11800-TEU vessel is currently stranded in the South Atlantic Ocean, with potential next destination in Santos, Brazil.
