Smouldering Containership Closing the UK Coast

'MSC Flamlinia' under tow, listing 11 degrees, heads for UK coastal water at 4 knots.

The ship operators give the following update:

MSC FLAMINIA and its accompanying group of tugs is currently located 170 nautical miles off the coast of the UK and progresses at a speed of four knots. Due to damaged cargo and extinguishing water, the vessel is listing by 11 degrees.

After the prevailing fog of the last days lifted, a team of firefighting experts was able to board MSC FLAMINIA yesterday. However, a closer inspection of the cargo holds was not possible due to the ongoing generation of heat. The ship’s own firefighting system was switched off.

Overall, the situation onboard MSC FLAMINIA has improved. The emission of smoke from cargo holds 4 and 5 has declined significantly. Nevertheless, hotspots inside of individual containers should still be reckoned with.

Today a team of firefighting experts will again go onboard MSC FLAMINIA. It is yet unsure when a one-by-one inspection of containers can commence. This inspection aims at eliminating any smouldering fires inside of containers.

A permission to enter a sheltered coastal area will be decided upon by British authorities in the coming days.