What Crew Members Say About Msc-Jasper-Viii

ZIM has announced a new charter arrangement involving 9 to 10 months of trading between Asia and the US West Coast. The terms of this contract include an impressive daily rate of $135,000, positioning ZIM to enhance its operations in these vital shipping routes. This strategic move underscores ZIM's commitment to expanding its presence in the global maritime market.

The cargo vessel 'Safmarine Meru' is set to be towed to a secure location for cargo discharge and inspection after a collision with the 'Northern Jasper.' The incident occurred while the Safmarine Meru was engaged in a Maersk Line trans-Pacific service operating between the US Gulf Coast and Asia, carrying less than 400 containers at the time. Currently, the cause of the collision remains unknown, prompting authorities to launch a thorough investigation. At the moment of the incident, the 'Northern Jasper' was unchartered and en route from Zhoushan shipyard, preparing to anchor in Shanghai's anchorage area for a new charter scheduled for delivery on May 17.

On May 11, reports indicate that the fire aboard the 'Safmarine Meru' was largely under control, with approximately 40 containers suffering either damage or destruction. A collaborative effort between Chinese authorities and Maersk Line representatives took place onboard the 'Safmarine Meru' on May 10 to assess the situation and gather critical damage information. Affected customers have been directly notified regarding their cargo status. Maersk is actively working alongside Chinese officials to formulate a safe towing plan to bring the vessel to the port of Ningbo. Although the ship was left without power and took on some water due to a leak in the engine room and a stern hold adjacent to the superstructure, its condition was stable enough for towing operations to commence. Firefighting efforts continued with the assistance of tugs and Coast Guard vessels, ensuring the safety of the crew, who were unharmed. Crisis counselors were present to provide support, and measures were being taken to facilitate the crew's release. After addressing the situation, the 'Northern Jasper' departed from its mooring in Zhoushan on May 11 to continue its voyage toward Yangshan. For more visual updates from the incident, visit these Chinese news reports with accompanying photos: http://xm.soship.com/e/action/ShowInfo.php?classid=13&id=635983 and http://news.hsdhw.com/338331/