Discover the Chang-Min: Ratings & Maritime News

On June 20, 2025, a significant fire broke out in the cargo hold of the vessel 'Chang Min' while docked at the ENL Consortium Terminal in Apapa. The ship was in the process of unloading a wide array of combustible goods, including compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, tires, and construction machinery, from cargo hold 2 when the incident occurred. Emergency alerts were raised at 5:55 p.m., prompting the Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA) to swiftly initiate the State's Emergency Response Plans from their Cobra Base in Onipanu. Upon arriving at the scene, multiple fire and emergency units encountered flames pouring out from the cargo hold. The Cobra Response Team worked closely with other responders to gather crucial information from the crew, which led to a strategy to close the compartment fully in order to cut off the oxygen supply while initial dampening measures were applied. A comprehensive fire response strategy was established by all emergency personnel present, aiming to tackle the blaze safely and prevent any additional incidents, ensuring the welfare of firefighters. This plan also enabled the reopening of the affected cargo hold, assisting fire teams in locating the source of the flames as they referenced the ship's deck plan. Fire brigades stationed onshore engaged in combating the fire, supported by several firefighting tugs that were dispatched to provide additional resources in containing the situation. Skilled firefighters managed to seal the hold before entering, effectively battling the flames within. The successful extinguishing of the fire was the result of teamwork among the LASEMA Response Team-Onipanu, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Fire Unit. Fortunately, there were no injuries or pollution reported, although the overall damage remains uncertain, and an initial inquiry has yet to pinpoint the cause of the fire. Despite the incident, port operations at the ENL Terminal continued to run smoothly. The 'Chang Min' had departed from Rizhao on May 5 and docked at the port on June 17.