Torched Containership Returned to its Owners

Container vessel CCNI Arauco has been returned to its owners after a fire broke out in its aft container hold on September 1.

 

Ardent emergency response crews worked with local firefighters to extinguish the fire. Other experts from Ardent contained the situation with local authorities and worked with all parties with follow-on operations.

 

The aft hold was partly flooded to extinguish the fire, subsequently contaminating the water in the hold. Ardent safely discharged the contaminated water which was pumped into tankers to bring it to off-site final disposal facilities.

 

The damaged containers were discharged out of the vessels cargo hold and declared as dangerous waste, requiring special treatment.

 

The vessel was then returned to the owners for subsequent repair work.

 

“Minimizing an environmental impact has always been a priority for any operation for Ardent. We worked closely with Germany authorities to safely dispose the contaminated firefighting water and cargo out of the vessel,” said Lars Tesmar, one of the Ardent Salvage Masters who dealt with the operation.

 

“Technically it was a routine job, but our staff worked well with all the stakeholders to ensure a smooth follow-on operation. Compared to similar incidents in Germany we can speak about a relatively fast cleanup operation,” Tesmar said.

 

Ardent has a history of success in responding to vessel fires and emergencies. In late August, Ardent responded to the Carribean Fantasy, a vehicle ferry that caught fire off San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Caribbean Fantasy was covered under Ardent’s OPA-90, Salvage and Marine Fire Fighting “SMFF” coverage program. In 2015, Ardent staff responded to the M/V Sorrento near Mallorca, Spain, with marine firefighting, and salvage capabilities. The Sorrento was safely towed back to port, and all passengers were safe.