Pratik Bijlani –
A fire broke out aboard the containership MSC CAPETOWN III while it was berthed at Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) at the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, in the early hours of August 11, 2024. The fire, which originated in the 41/43 hatch area, quickly escalated, causing a significant explosion that impacted approximately 100 under-deck containers and 60 on-deck containers.
The 18-year-old vessel, built in 2006 and sailing under the flag of Madeira, had arrived from Singapore as part of the East Africa Service. At the time of the incident, MSC CAPETOWN III was in the process of discharging 995 containers and loading an additional 880 containers, while also carrying 596 through cargo containers.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) reported that the fire erupted around 0030 hours, leading to a swift and intense response from firefighting teams. The explosion that followed the fire has raised concerns over the potential environmental impact and the safety of ongoing operations at the port.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage to the cargo and the vessel are still under investigation, with authorities focusing on understanding the sequence of events that led to the explosion. The incident has drawn attention to the importance of stringent safety protocols, especially when dealing with high-risk cargo and complex port operations.
As investigations continue, the maritime community watches closely, emphasizing the need for enhanced fire prevention measures on containerships to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Marex Media