Yang Ming Explosion Reportedly Linked to Container Booked by HMM

The container that exploded on Yang Ming's vessel YM Mobility on August 9 was reportedly booked by HMM, another member of THE Alliance alongside Yang Ming.

The incident, which occurred at around 1:40 p.m. local time that day, originated from a refrigerated container used to transport dry cargo, according to Yang Ming.
There is speculation that the container was carrying lithium-ion batteries or organic peroxides, which are flammable.

An HMM spokesperson told Container News: "We’re waiting for an official announcement from the authorities in Ningbo port, who are investigating the cause and extent of the damage."

Ship repair experts estimate that the YM Mobility will need at least three months to repair, and the cost could exceed its current market value of about USD 55 million.

Yang Ming said on August 12 that the estimated damage is between USD 1.5 million and USD 9.5 million. The company noted that there is currently no visible fire on the ship, and water jet cooling efforts are underway. All crew members and personnel at the scene are safe.

“The exact cause of the incident remains to be clarified under professional assessment. Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of the vessel and expedite further response, six tugboats have been dispatched for safeguarding. Representatives from P&I Clubs, Classification Societies, and surveyors have been arriving on-site to coordinate with the authorities. Yang Ming’s technical personnel are providing 24/7 on-site support to assess the impact of the fire and the seaworthiness of YM Mobility," Yang Ming said in a statement.

YM Mobility has liability and indemnity insurance from the Britannia P&I Club and the vessel is classified by the American Bureau of Shipping.

Source: Phaata.com (via Container-News)

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