New Casualty - MSC HERMES III - Abandoned and Drifting
Incident Date: 22nd September 2026
Vessel: MSC HERMES III
Type: Fully Cellular Containership
Incident: Abandoned and Drifting
IMO No.: 9350317
W.E. Cox have learnt of an incident involving the MSC HERMES III, a Liberia Flag, 27,061GT, 2,496TEU, 2006 built, fully cellular containership, enroute from Shanghai to Jakarta, which issued a distress alert about 300km east of Vietnam on 22nd September 2026.
We understand that, following efforts by local authorities from both Singapore and Vietnam and a nearby vessel, all crew members were rescued after they abandoned the MSC HERMES III.
We further understand that the MSC HERMES III remains adrift in the South China Sea and that the cause of this casualty has yet to be confirmed.
The MSC HERMES III is owned by Bomar Shipping Limited and operated/managed by MSC. The MSC HERMES III (previously named the MSC HERMES), changed its trading route earlier this month from various ports in Africa and Asia to MSC’s Intra-Asia SEAGULL service, which trades between China, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines.
As a result of this recent casualty, cargo deliveries will likely be delayed, with significant cargo loss and damage. The situation may also give rise to Salvage and/or General Average that will require Cargo interests to provide Salvage and/or General Average Security prior to cargo being released at destination.
If you are aware of any involvement in this casualty and W E Cox Claims Group may be of assistance in any way, including provision of securities, arranging surveys, adjusting any potential losses &/or undertaking recovery action, please do not hesitate to contact us. As appropriate, please contact:
United Kingdom – Paul Friett cargoclaims@w-e-cox.co.uk
France – Marie-Laure Mirrione MarieLaureMirrione@w-e-cox.eu
Europe – Aneta Pillay apillay@w-e-cox.co.uk
Hong Kong – Twinnie Lai twinnie@ceemis.com.hk
Singapore – Paul Sansom psansom@w-e-cox.com.sg
USA – Joshua Gayer jgayer@w-e-cox.com
Australia – Niall Orr norr@w-e-cox.com.au
If this or future casualty notices should be forwarded to any of your colleagues, we would be pleased to receive their contact details and we will add them to our Client List.