News / APL Vanda delayed in Djibouti after mystery incident

APL Vanda in Southampton Credit VesselFinder.

Freight bound for Europe aboard the nine-year old CMA CGM-owned APL Vanda will be delayed by up to two weeks, with schedule disruptions set to last three months, according to some reports.

The 17,300 teu APL Vanda suffered a mystery incident on 3 July and is currently idling off the coast of Djibouti, off the East African coast. CMA CGM released a customer advisory on 7 July telling customers that the vessel had experienced an “unexpected incident” while en route to Europe, without giving any details.

With the vessel operating on the Ocean Alliance’s FAL3 Asia-Europe service, freight booked by alliance partners has also been delayed. One customer told The Loadstar: “I’ve been told by Evergreen that the Southampton call [due on around 17 July] has been cancelled and my cargo will be discharged in Rotterdam, but I don’t know when.”

Another cargo owner, who booked with Cosco Shipping subsidiary OOCL wrote to its customers saying: “We regret to inform you that according to vessel operator, vessel APL Vanda experienced an unexpected accident during her voyage across the Indian ocean.

“Vessel is idling at Djibouti water for further inspection. We will keep you updated once further information is available from vessel operator.”

However, CMA CGM could not offer much more information than a customer advisory noting an “incident”.

“In order to maintain the regularity of our service from Asia, her next position (Qingdao 27th August) will be covered by the next vessel APL Fullerton who in turn will be replaced by APL Singapura for the position Qingdao 3rd September.”

Enquiries by The Loadstar did not reveal any piracy attacks, while there was no apparent request for help recorded on 3 July. CMA CGM has told The Loadstar it has nothing more to add.