by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

Update: 12.08.2024

Kuehne+Nagel reports that all containers onboard YM Mobility will remain on the ship awaiting further investigation.

Initial investigations show that the explosion that occurred last week was caused by a non-operational reefer container loaded in Shanghai.

YM Mobility is one of the vessels deployed on the East China—Middle East AG2/CGX service. The ship was berthed at Beilun Terminal Phase 3 of Ningbo Port when the incident occurred.

As a result, the terminal was briefly closed over the weekend but is back in operation as of today, Monday, 12 August, with expected delays.

Luckily, the explosion did not severely affect vessel and container handling operations at the port. Nevertheless, authorities and carriers will implement more strict controls in the next few days.

Kuehne+Nagel expects delays of up to four days for containers loaded or booked on this vessel. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep customers informed about further progress.

For inquiries, please contact your local Kuehne+Nagel representative.

Original article: 09.08.2024

9 August 2024 (Lloyd's List) - AN explosion occurred on Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp boxship YM Mobility (IMO: 9457737) at China’s Ningbo port after hazardous materials caught fire.

No injuries were reported, according to a social media post by the operator of Beilun Second Container Terminal.

White smoke was seen at 1346 hrs on the Liberia-flagged containership before the massive blast, videos posted online show.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence vessel-tracking shows the 2011-built, 6,589 teu containership arrived in Ningbo on Wednesday after spending a day in Shanghai. It sailed from Jebel Ali on July 21.

Yang Ming and Ningbo's port authority have been approached for comment.