A blaze on an AP Moller-Maersk boxship that claimed the life of one seafarer has been extinguished on the fifth day of firefighting.
Salvors from Smit Salvage are now able to board the 5,920-teu Maersk Frankfurt (built 2024), the Indian Coast Guard said on Tuesday.
“India Coast Guard continues firefighting operations in extreme monsoon conditions, successfully dousing major fires aboard,” it said on X.
“ICG maintains its presence to combat fire reflash. Situation is being monitored closely.”
Its ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet have been leading efforts to tackle the fire, which beset the practically new container ship as it was transiting from Mundra in Gujarat to the Sri Lankan port of Colombo.
The offshore tug Albatross 5 and emergency towing vessel Water Lily have also participated.
TradeWinds reported on Monday that the fire, whose cause has yet to be disclosed, took the life of a Filipino mariner.
Maersk has said the remaining crew members on board are safe.
The Maersk Frankfurt sent out a distress call reporting a major fire while it was 50 nautical miles (93 km) off the Indian city of Karwar with 21 seafarers on board. Vessel tracking data from VesselsValue shows it is currently west-northwest of the city of Udupi.
The Panamanian-flagged ship is classed by Japan’s ClassNK and has insurance from UK P&I Club.
