News / Hapag-Lloyd declares general average on fire-stricken Yantian Express

Hapag-Lloyd has formally declared general average on its fire-stricken Yantian Express.

A fire broke out in a container stowed on the 7,500 teu vessel en route to the Canadian port of Halifax early this month, which spread to other boxes while heavy weather rendered the crew’s fire-fighting efforts fruitless, forcing them to abandon ship.

Ocean-going tugs have spent the subsequent weeks trying to bring the fire under control and the vessel is currently under tow, headed for Bahamas Freeport.

The 2002-built, 320-metre vessel ...