Maersk-Aras Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On February 9, 2021, Maersk officially initiated legal proceedings against commodities trader Glencore, claiming that contaminated fuel supplied during an oil swap agreement in 2018 caused significant damage to its vessel, the 'Maersk Aras'. The lawsuit, lodged in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Glencore is liable for providing off-spec fuel that ultimately led to engine failure. According to court documents, the incident dates back to February 2018 when Maersk engaged in a fuel swap with Glencore in Panama, where it received 24,000 barrels of marine fuel. Shortly after the 'Maersk Aras' commenced using the fuel, it suffered engine failure, necessitating an emergency diversion to Mexico to acquire replacement fuel. Following the incident, an analysis revealed that the fuel was heavily contaminated, containing harmful substances including traces of plastic, fibers, black gum, paraffin, and fatty acids. In light of these findings, Maersk is pursuing over $6 million in damages from Glencore for the repercussions of the contaminated fuel.

The container vessel Maersk Aras found itself in a challenging situation in the North Pacific off the Gulf of California, having been reported as not under command since February 17, 2018. This ship embarked on its journey from Manzanillo, Mexico, on February 16, bound for Yokohama, with an expected arrival date of March 4. However, on February 25, the situation changed, and the vessel began its journey back to Mexico, now headed for Ensenada, with a revised estimated time of arrival of March 1. Although the Maersk Aras experienced an engine failure, it has managed to remain maneuverable during its return. By March 2, the vessel was progressing at a speed of 4.5 to 5 knots, making its way back to safety.