Hapag-Lloyd Looking for Terminal to Offload Intact Yantian Boxes

German shipping major Hapag-Lloyd is searching for a terminal where it could offload the undamaged containers from the fire-stricken Yantian Express.

In its latest advisory, the company said it is “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.”

Hapag-Lloyd explained that it is “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.

While there is a containerized terminal berth in the vicinity, the company said that it appears that, at the moment, such terminal may not have sufficient capacity for the sound cargo. The company is investigating alternative options.

Regarding ongoing salvage operations for damaged containers in Freeport, Hapag-Lloyd said that these are continuing as planned with the discharge of fire impacted containers and door end inspections of potentially damaged containers as identified and documented.

“Based on the information available at this point, we anticipate such discharge to take approximately five weeks from now to reach its completion,” the advisory reads.

Yantian Express suffered the fire, which started on its deck and towards the fore end of the vessel, on January 3. The containership arrived in Freeport, Bahamas on February 4, 2019, and started discharging damaged containers in late February.

Hapag-Lloyd earlier said that up to 202 containers have been identified to be a total loss due to the fire. Once unloaded, these containers would not be inspected and would be sent for destruction, Richards Hogg Lindley (RHL) as General Average and Salvage Adjusters informed.