Maersk-Rio-Blanco Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On December 5, 2020, a significant incident unfolded at PrimePort in Timaru when the fire crew was stopped from boarding the 'Rio Blanco' due to concerns over a possible COVID-19 case on board. The situation escalated at approximately 1:30 p.m., leading to an evacuation of the port as emergency services began addressing reports of a 30-tonne container allegedly leaking carbon monoxide. As fire crews prepared to enter the vessel equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE), they received an update from the ship's first officer indicating that the leak was actually a minor release of liquid nitrogen from a pressure valve, rather than carbon monoxide. The emergency responders had been alerted to the possible COVID-19 exposure following discussions with New Zealand Customs and port officials, raising health concerns during the initial assessment. This incident highlights the ongoing complexities maritime operations face in managing safety and health protocols.

On March 3, 2018, at 11:30 PM, the vessel 'Rio Blanco' encountered an urgent requirement to replace a piston in its engine. After departing from Antwerp at 2 PM en route to Tilbury, the ship, carrying a crew of 24, dropped anchor at coordinates 51°53.3872' N and 01°39.4038' E. Repairs commenced promptly at 3 PM at the Sunk DW anchorage. Following approximately 15 hours of maintenance work, the 'Rio Blanco' successfully weighed anchor and continued its journey, with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) in Tilbury set for March 5 at 3 PM.