A Sri Lanka Port Authority tug dousing the fire on board the X-Press Pearl. Photo: Sri Lanka Port Authority
Update (May 25): ‘X-Press Pearl’ Fire Flares Up, Ship Evacuated
The fire on board the X-Press Pearl is reported under control at an anchorage off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, but fire-fighting efforts are continuing, according to the vessel’s operator.
The Sri Lankan Navy continued its response to the incident over the weekend with three tugs from the Sri Lankan Ports Authority on site conducting cooling operations on containers near the fire. At times, the fire flared up with visible flames (see photo below) coming from containers above deck, the Navy said over the weekend.
The fire on board the X-Press Pearl was first reported Thursday as the ship was awaiting entry to Colombo harbor at an offshore anchorage.
The Navy said the ship is carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tons of Nitric Acid and other chemicals which it had loaded at the port of Hazira, India on May 15. Preliminary investigations indicate the fire started due to a chemical reaction of the hazardous cargo.
All 25 crew members are reported safe, the ship’s operator reported Monday. Meanwhile a salvage team from SMIT has boarded the vessel for an assessment.
“Fire/smoke still remain on board the vessel but is currently under control. More firefighting tugs have been deployed and they will continue to fight the fire. The salvage team with fire experts and firefighters are already on board the vessel and are carrying out the risk assessment. They have already taken steps to stop the spreading of fire into other areas,” X-Press Feeders said in its update.
“We have been advised that special firefighting equipment will arrive tomorrow. We therefore remain hopeful that the fire will be put out by the salvage team at the soonest time possible,” it added.
“X-Press Feeders regrets the current situation which is beyond our control.”
More Photos:
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 110,095 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into last year’s tragic capsizing of the twin-screw conventional tug Biter off Greenock, Scotland, resulting in the loss of two crew...
Four crew members of the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima are facing charges for their alleged role in causing Singapore’s worst oil spill in a decade. The incident, which occurred on...
The U.S. Coast Guard Station Mayport responded to a dredger fire on Saturday afternoon. The fire was reported in the engine room of the Stuyvesant, a 340-foot dredger, near the...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 110,095 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
