Crew members of Safmarine Meru remain safe and sound. In line with standard procedures crisis counselors are onsite offering ongoing support. Arrangements to release the crew for shore leave are underway.

External firefighting has concluded with fire tugs remaining nearby to observe any developments. The fire is currently under control. A team of Chinese authority officials and Maersk Line representatives have during Tuesday 10 May been on board the Safmarine Meru to survey the damages and gather information needed to make plans for moving the vessel to shore. The vessel is without power and has suffered some water ingress, but condition is stable and it is deemed suitable for towage.

“We are currently cooperating with the Chinese authorities to develop a plan to safely tow the vessel alongside in the Port of Ningbo. We will not speculate or comment on the circumstances leading to the incident while investigations are ongoing,” says Palle Laursen, Head of Ship Management in Maersk Line.

Safmarine Meru is a 4,650 TEU container vessel, built in 2006 and sails under the Hong Kong flag. At the time of the collision, Safmarine Meru had less than 400 full containers on board. Customers with cargo on board the Safmarine Meru have been contacted directly.