Hapag-Lloyd is searching for an alternative container terminal to discharge the remainder of the undamaged containers from the Yantian Express.
It said it was “exploring options” with regard to the balance of the containerized cargo, which is unaffected by the fire and remains in a dry and sound condition.
“We are not in a position to discharge sound cargo at the vessel’s current location, which consists of a temporary yard that is meant to handle only the distressed cargo,” it said in a circular to customers.
“While there is a containerized terminal berth in the vicinity, it appears among other considerations that at the moment such terminal may not have sufficient capacity for the sound cargo.”
The 7,150-teu Yantian Express (built 2002) suffered a blaze on 3 January off Canada, but was eventually able to berth in Freeport on 4 February.
Freeport was designated exclusively to receive the distressed containers for reasons of “security, health, safety and environmental considerations”.
Hapag Lloyd said operations in Freeport were “continuing as planned” with the discharge of fire impacted containers and door end inspections of potentially damaged boxes.
The German liner company said it anticipates the discharge to take another five weeks from now to reach its completion "based on the available information".
Salvage adjusters Richards Hogg Lindley said that operations are still ongoing to remove the damaged containers from holds 1 and 2.
"We do not yet know when the sound cargo will be delivered at the final destination ports," it said in an update on the discharge operation.
A total of 202 containers are likely to be declared a total loss, according to Richards Hogg Lindley. It has also identified an additional 460 containers that were stored in the affected area that require inspection.
