A Yang Ming container ship has exploded in the Chinese port of Ningbo.
Dramatic footage caught the moment the 6,589-teu YM Mobility (built 2021) blew up in Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang province on Friday morning.
It is not yet known whether there have been any casualties on the Liberian-flagged post-panamax.
Shockwaves were felt as far as a kilometre away, Reuters reported.
The ship was at anchor but due to set sail to the United Arab Emirates port of Jebel Ali, AIS data shows.
Yang Ming said the cause of the incident is still under investigation.
“Preliminary findings suggest that an explosion occurred in a container loaded with dangerous goods on board,” it said.
According to the shipper’s declaration, the container was a reefer used as a substitute for a dry container, without requiring power connection, Yang Ming said.
Immediate fire control measures were taken and the situation is now under control.
“All crew members have safely evacuated. Huan Ming (Shanghai) International Shipping Agency Co, a subsidiary of Yang Ming Group, is actively coordinating with the authorities to manage the situation,” Yang Ming said.
YM Mobility is currently deployed to Far East-Middle East service CGX.
Yang Ming will provide updates on the vessel’s status, cargo transshipment and schedule adjustments as further information becomes available.
