Two seafarers have been killed and a third injured on Monday in a fire aboard a container vessel in the port of Houston.
The fire broke out in the main engine room of the 2,174-teu Stride (built 1997) during cargo operation earlier at Barbours Cut Container Terminal.
Three crew members were in the engine room when the fire broke out and attempted to extinguish the blaze.
Two of the seafarers died and a third was transferred to hospital via helicopter, according to port authorities.
The remainder of the crew was evacuated, following instructions from the local port authority, managing owner Danaos Shipping said.
The fire was extinguished by the crew and the port’s fire brigade.
However, the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. No pollution has been reported.
The Stride is one of three sub-panamax container vessels operated on a service launched in June 2021 by Cosco Shipping Lines.
Two other vessels in the service — the 1,700-teu Perito Moreno (built 2009) and CMA CGM Maputo (built 2011) — are deployed by France’s CMA CGM, according to Alphaliner.
The service connects the US Gulf Coast port of Houston with Honduras, Guatemala and Colombia.
It was initiated with high-reefer units, which suggests the service had targeted perishable cargoes.
Danaos is in contact with their seafarers’ families.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of our two seafarers, members of our company’s trusted seafaring family,” Danaos said.
