On 8 January, the Port of Houston reported a fire on board a Panamax container vessel berthed at its Barbour's Cut Terminal.

In the early hours of Monday morning, during cargo operations, a fire broke out in the engine room of the Panamax vessel Stride (IMO 9149835). The Port Houston Fire Department responded and successfully extinguished the blaze. Sadly, the fire claimed two lives and injured a third crew member, who was taken to hospital. The rest of the crew were evacuated as instructed.

The reason for the fire is unknown, and investigations are being carried out. According to a statement by the Port Houston Fire Department, it will monitor the ship for at least 24 hours.

The 2200 TEU Stride is deployed on a CMA CGM-COSCO service between South America, Jamaica and Houston.