KMTC boxship catches fire off Malaysia – Splash247

Malaysian firefighters have had a busy weekend trying to contain a blaze that erupted on a South Korean containership near Port Klang.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the fire broke out in several containers on board the 2,778 teu
KMTC Shenzhen, operated by Taiwan’s TS Lines, early on Sunday.

Several firefighting tugs were deployed to assist in extinguishing the fire in conjunction with the local fire brigade, which was brought under control within 2 hours.

A total of nine containers located in the forward section of the vessel are reported to have been affected by the fire.

Insurance firm WK Webster said that other cargo stowed in the vicinity of the fire “may be affected by heat, smoke and/or wet damage as a consequence of the firefighting operation”.

The 2013-built ship had 18 crewmembers and 1,189 containers onboard. No injuries were reported.

MMEA said on Sunday that smoke was still visible coming out of containers and that an investigation team had been formed to look into the real cause of the fire incident.