The fire-ravaged, 15,262-teu ultra large containership Maersk Honam (built 2017) is expected to arrive in Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates in early April.
Although Maersk Line has said there is no definite date scheduled for the arrival of the vessel in the United Arab Emirates, the tug Amazon Chieftain Z — one of the tugs towing the stricken containership — is signalling 7 April as an estimated time of arrival on the automated identification system.
The slow progress of the journey indicates that firefighting operations may be continuing. Experts suggest the Maersk Honam may not be allowed into Jebel Ali if it is still emitting smoke.
This week, Maersk Line described the onboard fire as “under control”.
The Amazon Chieftain Z is also signalling “limited maneuverability” as it is involved in towage operations.
Maersk Line said it is also continuing investigations into the safety of the Maersk Honam ahead of its arrival into the port in the UAE.
Once the vessel arrives in Jebel Ali, the plan is to remove all of its containers. In some previous instances of fire onboard containerships, only the damaged cargoes have been removed once the vessel arrives at a port of refuge.
Five crew members were killed after a fire ravaged the Maersk Honam around 340 miles (550 kilometres) off India on 6 March.
So far, fire damage has been limited to the front three forward cargo holds of the Maersk Honam, which has nine container holds.
Smit Salvage and Ardent were appointed salvors of the vessel under a Lloyd’s Open Form contract, and Maersk Line has declared general average.
