Splash247: Fire hits Maersk ship off Liberia

A fire broke out on Wednesday onboard a Maersk ultra-large containership while sailing off the coast of Liberia.

The 2013-built 19,076 teu Marie Maersk, operating under the Gemini Cooperation’s Asia–Europe AE4 service, was en route from Rotterdam to Tanjung Pelepas when crewmembers detected smoke coming from containers on deck.

The ship’s crew activated onboard firefighting systems and followed emergency procedures, with Maersk confirming that all crewmembers are safe and that the vessel remains stable, with propulsion, steering, and navigational systems unaffected.

The vessel has diverted towards the West African coast to access landside support, while tugs have been deployed at the scene to provide assistance.

In a statement, Maersk added: “We remain in constant contact with the crew and are providing all possible support. We cannot confirm the extent of the fire’s impact on the cargo yet.”

No explosions or secondary incidents have been reported, and monitoring continues as the situation develops.