Further to previous Casualty Advice and Updates, Hapag-Lloyd have reported that the fire is ���widely contained�۝ and that, meanwhile, tug ���Union Sovereign�۝ arrived at the casualty on 15thJanuary to assist operations. Another ocean-going tug is on its way. It will not be possible to offer any accurate assessment of damage to the vessel or its cargo until YANTIAN EXPRESS reaches a port. It is feared that severe winter weather in Canada may create unsafe working conditions for firefighting and cooling operations, so Salvors have indicated that a port of refuge in the Bahamas may provide a better working environment.

Further to previous Casualty Advice and Update, Hapag-Lloyd have reported that the container fire on the vessel YANTIAN EXPRESS, WHICH started on 3rd January, has been brought under control.
Whilst the crew of the vessel had been evacuated to salvage tug SMIT NICOBAR, five transferred back to YANTIAN EXPRESS on Wednesday evening.
The vessel is currently being towed at ���slow speed�۝ by the tug MAERSK MOBILISER towards the Port of Halifax, although no formal ETA has yet been set. A third ocean tug is expected to join the venture around 13th January to assist in the towage operation.
Although Hapag-Lloyd advised that it was not yet possible to make any detailed assessment of damage to the vessel or its cargo, partner Ocean Network Express (ONE) offered the following advisory to customers:
���Based on current available information, we have to assume that all cargo in bay 12 on deck and forward is directly affected by the fire, as well as all cargo in Hold 1 (Bay 1 to 9). Furthermore, we have to expect that all cargo in Hold 2 (Bay 11 to 17) is affected by fire, smoke &/or damage caused by firefighting water�۝.
It added that damage caused by smoke, heat &/or firefighting in adjacent areas was possible and that all reefers in Bays 1 ��� 24 were without power and switched off.

Further to our initial casualty notice in respect of the fire onboard vehicle carrier ���SINCERITY ACE�۝, the vessel is now being towed to Japan by tug KOYO MARU.
There is no information available as to her present condition, nor how, when or even if the fire was eventually extinguished.
It is known that 3,500 Nissan cars at least were onboard, probably other vehicles also.

Further to our initial casualty notice, bad weather conditions have limited progress in containing the fire in containers onboard ���YANTIAN EXPRESS�۝ and the crew has been evacuated to the salvage tug SMIT NICOBAR, which is providing firefighting support.

We have learned of an incident involving the vessel ���YANTIAN EXPRESS�۝, a Germany flag, 2002 built, 88,493 gt fully cellular container ship.
Havng lso called at Singapore and Colombo on a voyage from North East Asia, the Vessel was passing NE of Bermuda en route to Halifax, Canada, when a fire erupted in a container onboard, before spreading to other containers.

We have learned of an incident involving the vessel ���MSC ZOE�۝, a 2015 built 192,237gt fully cellular containership.

It is reported that having previously called at Chinese ports the Vessel was sailing from Sines, Portugal to Bremerhaven, Germany when she lost as many as 270 containers overboard in the Southern North Sea. Local media reports suggest that containers have already washed up on beaches in The Netherlands and photographs of the Vessel show a significant shift of containers and collapse of stow. As such it is anticipated that further container and cargo damages will be found upon arrival of the Vessel at her next port of call which we have been advised is Bremerhaven.

We have learned of an incident involving the vessel ���SINCERITY ACE�۝, a 2009 built 19,265gt vehicle carrier en route from Yokohama, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii.
I isreported that the vessel has suffered a significant fire, with ongoing firefighting efforts and an intent to abandon ship.
“We have learned of an incident involving the vessel “SINCERITY ACE”, a 2009 built 19,265gt vehicle carrier en route from Yokohama, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii.

It is reported that the vessel has suffered a significant fire, with ongoing firefighting efforts and an intent to abandon ship.

The Coast Guard and commercial Vessels are en route to assist the “SINCERITY ACE” however early indications are that the damage is likely to be significant and assistance from Salvors will be required

W.E. Cox Claims Group are continuingly monitoring the situation however if we can be of any assistance in arranging surveys, adjusting potential losses, providing security or undertaking recovery, please do not hesitate to contact us.

As appropriate, please contact:

United Kingdom – Paul Friett cargoclaims@w-e-cox.co.uk
Hong Kong – Wendy Lee wendy@ceemis.com.hk
Singapore – Paul Sansom psansom@w-e-cox.com.sg
USA – Charles Droll cdroll@w-e-cox.com
Australia – Robert Hammersley rhammersley@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.

Whilst discharging cargo into lightering vessel CHAR SHAMAIL, there was a collision involving the above mentioned three vessels.

Further to our last report, we have now received information that the vessel has suffered extensive damage and the shipowners have declared general average (GA) as a result of this casualty.

We have received notification that the above-mentioned vessel grounded while departing from Fuzhou on 22 September 2018.
Whilst this vessel was plying between ports in the far east, it could have been serving as a feeder vessel and have containers coming from or going to anywhere in the world.