A potential disaster was averted at the Port of Colombo on Sunday after a container vessel that was berthed at the Sri Lankan port, the MSC Capetown III, caught fire.
The 18-year-old vessel was in the process of discharging 995 twenty-foot equivalent units and loading 880 TEUs at Jaya Container Terminal when the fire broke out.
It was extinguished and no one was injured, thanks to the prompt response of local firefighting teams.
The on-board blaze follows another vessel fire at the end of July involving the Maersk Frankfurt, which caught fire while at sea.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before gaining control of the situation.
The two fires experienced by the global container fleet’s two leading lines highlights the ongoing risks associated with maritime operations, underscoring the critical need for effective fire safety measures and emergency response protocols on vessels, both in port and at sea.
As maritime traffic continues to grow, the frequency of such incidents has raised concerns about safety standards and the preparedness of crews to handle emergencies.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has announced an inquiry into the fire aboard the MSC Capetown III, aiming to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.
