Shipmanagement Company Leonhardt & Blumberg reported yesterday that they have appointed Five Oceans Salvage LTD & SMIT Salvage BV for the salvaging of her container vessel Hansa Brandenburg which is suffering from a fire on board and is drifting some 200 nautical miles northeast of Mauritius.
The tug Coral Sea Flos is currently on its way to the vessel. The Mauritian Coast Guard is monitoring the situation.
Crew of “Hansa Brandenburg” initially tried to extinguish the fire on the vessel. However as the fire spread crew eventually had to be safely rescued by the attending ship “Donau Trader”. Representatives of Leonhardt & Blumberg have meanwhile arrived in Port Louis and have attended to the crew who are all in a good condition.
“The exact cause of the incident is yet unknown. A full investigation will be conducted,” the company said in a press release.
July 19: Container ship Hansa Brandenburg may be already on tow of salvage tug Coral Sea FOS, which reportedly, arrived at the scene on July 17 or 18. In the morning July 18 Hansa Brandenburg was near position 19 10S 059 51E. If the vessel is still drifting, it may be explained by the assessment of the situation and possible risks, including risks threatening salvors, due to the nature of the cargoes in or near fire. Latest reports published by media citing operator of the vessel, Leonhardt & Blumberg, said smouldering vessel is adrift. All in all, situation doesn’t look like looming disaster, and there is a feeling, that the vessel will be rescued.
Salvage tug Coral Sea FOS, IMO 8028474, 1316 gt, built 1982, flag Panama, manager FIVE OCEANS SALVAGE CONSULTANTS LTD, Greece.
Ship management Company Leonhardt & Blumberg reported that the container vessel MV “HANSA BRANDENBURG” is currently being towed to Mauritius after salvors have successfully been able to make a towing connection during the weekend.
A final decision on the port of refuge yet has to be made. Upon arrival a further assessment of damage to the vessel will follow.
Experts of Five Oceans Salvage LTD & SMIT Salvage BV extinguished the fire on “HANSA BRANDENBURG” last Friday after the ship suffered from a fire when transiting from Singapore to Durban on July 15. All crew of the vessel were safely rescued by the attending container vessel “DONAU TRADER” and are unharmed.
MV “HANSA BRANDENBURG”, Gross Tonnage 18334, is a 2003 built container vessel with a capacity of 1.740 TEU. She is flying the Liberian flag.