by Kathrin Wolf, SeaNewsEditor
In the span of just a few days, two major incidents involving container vessels have impacted Maersk-operated vessels.
The incidents, involving the Laust Maersk anchored off Charleston, South Carolina, and the Kyparissia at Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas, have prompted emergency responses and raised renewed concerns about safety in maritime operations.
Smoke detected on Laust Maersk near Charleston
On Wednesday, 5 November, while en route from Charleston, South Carolina, to Cartagena, Colombia, the Maersk-operated container vessel Laust Maersk detected smoke emanating from one of its cargo holds. The Hong Kong-flagged vessel, built in 2001 and with a capacity of 4,258 TEU, immediately initiated safety protocols and reported the incident to authorities.
The vessel turned back and anchored off the Port of Charleston on November 6, where it remains under inspection. Maersk has confirmed that the situation onboard is stable, and fortunately, no injuries have been reported among the crew. Operational teams, along with local authorities, are conducting thorough inspections and following stringent safety protocols to assess the situation and ensure the vessel’s safety.
A Maersk spokesperson stated that the company is maintaining close coordination with response teams and relevant authorities throughout the process. Once the ongoing inspection is completed and relevant approvals are granted, the Laust Maersk is expected to berth at Charleston to discharge the affected containers in accordance with safety regulations. Maersk also assured customers that efforts are underway to minimize disruption to logistics operations as the incident is managed.
The Laust Maersk operates on Maersk's U7J (AGAS) service, connecting Port Everglades, Newark, Baltimore, and Charleston in the United States with Cartagena, Colombia, and Manzanillo, Mexico.
The cause of the smoke remains under investigation as the vessel stays anchored under observation.
Fatal fire aboard Kyparissia at Port of Tanjung Pelepas
Tragedy struck at Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas on Friday, 7 November, when a fire broke out aboard the Kyparissia, a container vessel under time charter to Maersk. The incident occurred while the vessel, registered in Malta and with a capacity of 4,771 TEU, was docked and cargo was being discharged.
According to Malaysia’s State Fire and Rescue Department, the fire, which followed an explosion in the fifth cargo hold, resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including one crewmember. The victims were identified as a 59-year-old Malaysian, a man from the Philippines, and a British national. Three additional individuals - a Malaysian and two Filipinos - were injured and remain hospitalized.
Port fireboats initially responded to the blaze, soon joined by State Fire and Rescue teams. Maersk, in a statement, expressed deep regret over the incident and confirmed ongoing cooperation with the port, vessel owner, ship manager, and local authorities to manage the aftermath. The full extent of the damage to the vessel and cargo is still being assessed, with updates to be provided as more information becomes available.
The Kyparissia operates on the FEW2 service connecting Singapore and Tanjung Pelepas in Asia with ports in West Africa, including Lome, Apapa, Onne, and Cotonou.
This incident, combined with the situation involving the Laust Maersk in the United States, highlights the persistent dangers associated with cargo fires in the maritime industry.
For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
