Following the cargo and fire loss from Zim Kingston, Canadian authorities are expected to be using a barge crane to get rid of debris from impaired container cells. The vessel is structurally sound. However, the decision as to when it can leave Constance Bank, close to Victoria, will be made by the shipmaster after consulting the local pilots.

On 23rd of last month, two of the damaged containers on the Zim Kingston unexpectedly caught on fire. The incident also resulted in the loss of 109 containers in extreme weather conditions off the Vancouver coast. The crew members suffered zero injuries. Of 109 cargo containers that had gone overboard, 105 have not been located, per reports from the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).

Unverified reports indicate that the Zim Kingston may set sail to the north, to Nanaimo Port on the eastern shore of the Vancouver Island, midway up the coast, to discharge the containers. The port has the capabilities and water depth required to tackle a vessel like the Zim Kingston.

On 1 November, Danaos, the vessel owner, announced General Average. He appointed Albatross Adjusters as the GA adjusters for the aforementioned casualty. Shippers with cargo on board must wait for the details of GA security needed.

The clean-up drive is continuing with almost 35 helicopters lifting about 123 garbage and 65 bulk bags from beaches. Now, debris is also being discovered at some new locations, such as Raft Cove and Experiment Bight. Quatsino First Nation individuals are locally supporting the operation.

Meanwhile, the container vessel’s owner said that it was expecting to observe record performance for three years.

The Greek company has about 90% of the fleet all covered for next year. It has renewed and fixed a plethora of charters through up to 2028 alongside a steep rise in hire rates per day.

Following its July purchase of six 5,466 teu vessels, Danaos now operates a fleet boasting 71 ships for 437,000 teu. They are on fixed-rate, long-term charters to a portfolio of ocean carriers, including Maersk, HMM, Cosco, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, CMA CGM, Yang Ming, and Zim.

Reference: seattletimes.com

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