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Update 6 - 27th May 2021
X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship 'X-Press Pearl' can confirm that firefighting operations to extinguish the blaze aboard the vessel have continued through today despite the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
Firefighting tugs have constantly been spraying and misting the stricken vessel with support from the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard, who remain on scene. The ship remains at anchor off Colombo port.
The crew member who was transferred to a special facility in a military hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 remains asymptomatic and is recovering from a leg injury sustained during his evacuation from the vessel. A second injured crew member continues to recover from his injuries in a local hospital. All other crew members who remain in a Colombo quarantine facility are in good health and are in contact with their families.
Please note, reports that the vessel was denied entry into Hazira Port in India and Hamad Port in Qatar are incorrect. The ship underwent discharge and loading operations in both ports before continuing on its planned journey to Colombo. Applications had been made to both ports to offload a container that was leaking nitric acid, but the advice given was there were no specialist facilities or expertise immediately available to deal with the leaking acid.
Further information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
Update 5 - 27th May 2021
X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship 'X-Press Pearl' (IMO: 9875343) report that efforts to extinguish the fire on board are ongoing with three firefighting tugs, helicopters and the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard on scene. The vessel remains at anchor off Colombo port with fire fighters and salvage experts flown in from Europe working with local authorities in their efforts to save the vessel and its cargo, despite the adverse weather due to the onset of South West monsoons.
The two crew members who received leg injuries during their evacuation from the ship on the morning of Tuesday, May 25th remain in hospital in stable condition. One of the seafarers has since tested positive to Covid-19 and has been transferred to a special facility in a military hospital for further treatment, he remains asymptomatic. The other 23 crew members are in a Colombo quarantine facility and are in good health.
The crew members are in contact with their families and X-Press Feeders will continue to liaise with customers about their cargo.
Image by Sri Lanka Air Force
Update 4 - 25th May 2021
X-Press Feeders, disponent owners / operators and managers of the container ship 'X-Press Pearl' (IMO: 9875343), report that all crew members were safely evacuated today from the vessel, after the fire incident on board the vessel.
Despite the best efforts of salvors and firefighting tugs, the blaze had spread overnight, fanned by strong winds. With the crew's safety of utmost importance to X-Press Feeders, the decision was made to evacuate them.
X-Press Feeders will continue to work closely with the Sri Lankan authorities and emergency services with assistance from its appointed salvors to extinguish the blaze and to save the vessel and its cargo. Specialised firefighting equipment which arrived from Europe last night will join the salvaging operations.
The families of all the crew members have been advised of the safe evacuation of the respective crew, and we will continue to update them of any further developments. X-Press Feeders will continue to liaise with customers with regard to their containers on board the vessel.
Update 3 - 25th May 2021
In the early hours of this morning, all crew and 12 firefighters disembarked from X-Press Pearl as a safety precautionary measure.
Fire and smoke still remain on board. The salvage team, with fire experts and fire fighters will continue to work on putting out the fire. Special fire-fighting equipment arrived from Europe last night, which will reinforce the salvaging efforts.
All crew are safe.
We will continue to keep customers updated with developments on board.
Update 2 - 24th May 2021
Fire/smoke still remain on board the vessel but is currently under control. More firefighting tugs have been deployed and they will continue to fight the fire. The salvage team with fire experts and firefighters are already on board the vessel and are carrying out the risk assessment. They have already taken steps to stop the spreading of fire into other areas.
All crew are safe.
We have been advised that special firefighting equipment will arrive tomorrow. We therefore remain hopeful that the fire will be put out by the salvage team at the soonest time possible.
X-Press Feeders regrets the current situation which is beyond our control.
We will continue to keep customers informed of developments on board the vessel.
Update 1 - 21st May 2021
On 20th May 2021, an on deck container on board vessel "X-PRESS PEARL" (which is deployed in our Straits Middle East SMX service), caught fire whilst at Colombo Anchorage.
The vessel had taken all precautionary measures throughout the night. However, firefighting is still underway with assistance of tugs sent by local authorities.
Together with local authorities, X-Press Feeders is actively working on various solutions to put out the fire/smoke on board the vessel, whilst maintaining the safety of our crew.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will duly inform affected customers of any developments.
In the meantime, we are also looking into alternative options to ensure minimal disruption to our SMX service.
X-Press Feeders - press release
