Fire breaks out aboard Maersk containership off Liberian coast

A fire erupted on board the Marie Maersk, a 19,076 TEU ultra-large containership, while sailing off the coast of Liberia, prompting an emergency response from the crew and deployment of maritime assistance.

The vessel, built in 2013 and operating under the Gemini Cooperation’s Asia–Europe AE4 service, was en route from Rotterdam to Tanjung Pelepas when smoke was detected emanating from containers stowed on deck, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

In response, the crew swiftly activated the ship’s onboard firefighting systems and followed established emergency protocols. In a statement, Maersk confirmed that the vessel remains structurally stable and fully operational. “All crewmembers are safe and the vessel remains stable, with propulsion, steering, and navigational systems unaffected,” the company said.

Following the incident, the Marie Maersk diverted course towards the West African coast to facilitate landside support, while tugboats have been dispatched to provide additional assistance at the scene.

Maersk noted that it is maintaining close communication with the vessel. “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,” the statement continued.

At present, no explosions or secondary incidents have been reported, and the situation remains under continuous monitoring as firefighting efforts continue.

By Vafa Guliyeva