Indian Coast Guard operations continue to secure Maersk Frankfurt

Indian Coast Guard operations to make safe Maersk Frankfurt enters day 3, according to the latest update. Indian Coast Guard Ship Varaha has joined the fire fighting efforts earlier today.

"Four offshore patrol vessel one Dornier and one advanced light helicopter (ALH) are engaged in the operations, ensuring protection of the marine environment, safety of the vessel and the crew. Dedicated efforts by ICG ships overnight have suppressed the fire!," Indian Coast Guard said in its latest post on X.

(Video Credit: Indian Coast Guard/X)

Update on July 20, 2024, 2000 hrs: Indian Coast Guard is continuing its firefighting efforts on Maersk Frankfurt. "ICG helicopters have now been deployed with an ALH air-dropping 150 kg of dry chemical powder to control the blaze. Visuals provide insights into the operation," says the latest post on X.

An earlier update had mentioned that the Indian Coast Guard has been able to suppress the fire in the forepart of the ship but heavy smoke persists and has reignited midship. "ICG ships Sachet, Sujeet and Samrat are ongoing with fire-fighting operations. Additionally, ICG pollution control vessel Samudra Prahari is being deployed to the scene today. A Dornier aircraft and ALH Dhruv helicopter have assessed the vessel, and no crew evacuation is required yet. ICG remains committed to ensuring safety and mitigating environmental impact."

(Video Credit: Indian Coast Guard/X)

"It is with deep regret that the ship managers have confirmed the passing of one of the crew members following the fire incident. The rest of the crew members are safe and accounted for. The vessel owner and ship managers are in touch with the crew and are ensuring all possible support is extended to them," says the latest official statement from Maersk.

"At the moment, we are unable to confirm the extent of the fire’s impact on the cargo. We remain in constant touch with the vessel owner and ship managers."

Tokei Kaiun of Japan is the beneficial owner of the 2024-built Maersk Frankfurt, and it is managed by Bernhard Schulte Ship Management.

Updated at 1100 AM: India Coast Guard ships Sujeet, Sachet and Samrat have been fighting the fire on Maersk Frankfurt for over 12 hours, preventing its spread, according to the latest update.

"As of 0700 hrs, 20 July, the vessel is 6.5 NM south of Karwar. An ICG Dornier aircraft, ex-Goa is conducting aerial assessments with an additional aircraft from Kochi positioned for #SAR. ETV Water Lily departed Mumbai on July 19, arriving on scene by July 21."

India Coast Guard Mumbai received a distress call on July 19, 2024 from container carrier Maersk Frankfurt 50 NM off Karwar regarding major fire onboard.

Maersk, in a post on X on July 19, said: "We can confirm that a fire was reported onboard one of our time chartered vessels, Maersk Frankfurt, around 1430 IST while the vessel was sailing from Mundra to Colombo. Firefighting is underway with support from the Indian Coast Guard. The vessel is in stable condition."

It may be mentioned here that another Maersk-chartered vessel Dali had crashed into a four-lane bridge in the U.S.Port of Baltimore in March, leading to casualties.