Smit and Ardent Salvage have returned the 15,262-teu Maersk Honam (built 2017) to its owner Maersk Line following the successful berthing of the vessel at Jebel Ali and completion of Lloyds Open Form (LOF) salvage services.
The two Netherlands-based outfits were appointed joint LOF salvors following the explosion and fire on the Maersk Line-owned vessel in the Arabian Sea in March. They were involved in the near three-month battle to contain the blaze and tow the vessel to the designated port of refuge. Five Maersk Honam crew died in the accident.
The final LOF awarded has the potential to be the largest this year, considering the high value of both hull and cargo. The Maersk Honam hull is insured for $105m and the estimated value of the cargo is around $150m. The incident is likely to be the largest general-average claim ever.
Cargo is now being discharged at the port but it is likely that containers loaded in cargo holds one to three will be written off.
However, previous fires on containerships would suggest that the hull can be repaired and is unlikely to be declared a constructive total loss. The 6,732-teu MSC Flaminia (built 2001), 5,551-teu Hyundai Fortune (built 1996) and 4,000-teu Hanjin Pennsylvania (built 2002) were all rebuilt and traded on following similar fires.
Containers that can be salvaged from the Maersk Honam will be forwarded following a payment of a $750 per teu and $1,250 per 40-foot (feu) container to Maersk Line alliance partner Mediterranean Shipping Co.
In a separate casualty linked to Maersk Line, there appears to be some dispute over the cause of a cargo shift on the 8,850-teu containership Maersk Lima (built 2011) in Buenos Aires. Several boxes of BMW cars are understood to have been lost in the accident. It is unclear at this stage if the casualty was caused by cargo-handling operations or heavy weather prior to arrival at the port. However, the vessel is continuing on its voyage and is heading for Algeciras.
