Huge Containership Burns In Port Hamburg

CCNI Arauco on fire at the port of Hamburg. Photo: Hamburg Water Police

A 9,000 TEU containership suffered a major fire in its cargo area while berthed the port of Hamburg on Thursday.

The Hamburg Water Police reports that the 300 meter CCNI Arauco caught fire at approximately 1 p.m. local time.

Initial findings suggested the fire was likely caused by welding work onboard. Reports say sparks from the welding ignited part of a container and quickly spread to others in the general area.

Three workers suffered injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital.

As a precaution authorities have warned residents and businesses in the area to close windows and doors due to thick smoke that was billowing from the ship.

The Hamburg Water Police said there is no evidence that any hazardous material has leaked from the vessels.

The fire was being fought with the help of fireboats and firefighters on the ground.

The Liberian-flagged CCNI Arauco was built in 2015 and can carry up to 9,030 twenty-foot containers. It is owned by NSC Holdings of Germany.

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