Maersk-Frankfurt Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The situation aboard the 'Maersk Frankfurt' has persisted for more than two weeks as firefighting efforts continue in the Arabian Sea. Although visible flames have been extinguished, smoldering containers aboard the vessel are still a concern, prompting ongoing extinguishing work. It's noteworthy that the ship, managed by Bernard Schulte, does not carry a Maersk crew. The Indian Coastguard is actively involved, providing assistance as the crew tackles the remnants of the fire.

As of July 30, firefighting operations aboard the 'Maersk Frankfurt' are actively underway, spearheaded by the vessel's crew alongside the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). In a strategic move, the ICG instructed the ship to navigate further offshore, approximately 50 nautical miles south of New Mangalore, which is currently serving as the command hub for operations. The ICG deployment has seen five vessels, two helicopters, and a Dornier aircraft engaged in combatting the blaze. To date, over 1,200 kg of dry chemical powder has been air-dropped onto the fire's epicenter, though stubborn pockets of flames persist. Two Coast Guard vessels are currently stationed alongside the 'Maersk Frankfurt,' utilizing millions of gallons of water to extinguish the flames and cool the affected area. While the ICG has reported that the primary fire has been effectively quelled, smoke continues to billow from collapsed stacks of cargo boxes. Infra-red technology has demonstrated a decrease in hot spots, with the most significant fire activity concentrated in Bay 18 on the starboard side. Although the reason for the ongoing flames remains unclear, the cargo manifest indicates the presence of hazardous materials, including benzene and sodium cyanate. In a collaborative effort, the Coast Guard has facilitated the boarding of five salvors onto the vessel. The owner company, hailing from Japan, has contracted a specialized salvage agency to oversee firefighting and cargo disposal initiatives. Initially, three tugs were on-site assisting with equipment transport, and an additional tug was deployed on July 28, with the AHTS 'Valiant' scheduled to arrive from Sharjah by July 30. Despite the difficult circumstances, the control of the situation remains firmly in hand.

As of July 28, the firefighting efforts initiated by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in response to the blaze aboard the 'Maersk Frankfurt' have entered their tenth day. Engaged in 'Operation Sahayata', the ICG has deployed a robust fleet including five ships, two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), and a Dornier aircraft, all actively involved in protecting the marine environment and mitigating pollution risks. In a significant move, over 1,200 kg of dry chemical powder has been released by air at the fire's origin. ICG vessels continue to implement boundary cooling measures while addressing sporadic flare-ups caused by the combustion of sealed containers onboard. The incident commenced on July 19, when the 'Maersk Frankfurt', carrying 1,154 containers, some containing hazardous materials such as benzene and sodium cyanate, reported a severe fire approximately 80 nautical miles off the coast of Goa. Fortunately, the ship has maintained its structural integrity and operational capacity throughout the event. To further bolster environmental protection, the ICG has strategically repositioned the specialized pollution control vessel, 'Samudra Prahari', to New Mangalore to address potential pollution threats if necessary. Moreover, the ICG has conducted two coordination meetings involving the Directorate General of Shipping, state authorities, stakeholders, port officials, and the ship's management to assess situation developments and strengthen action plans. Presently, the fire situation is under control, eliminating any immediate risks to marine ecosystems and coastal regions. The 'Maersk Frankfurt' remains under observation, consistently maintained more than 24 nautical miles away from India’s Contiguous Zone Limit, ensuring its power and propulsion systems are stable.