Charlotte-Maersk

Three containers fell from the "Charlotte Maersk" which was docked at the Panamaa Ports Company Balboa Container Terminal in Panama City on Nov 6, 2018. Two crashed onto the foreship of the tank m/v "Kollum" which was moored alongside for bunkering purposes. The third container fell into the water. The "Charlotte Maersk" had arrived at Panama City on Nov 6, coming from Lazaro Cardenas. The bunker tanker should sustained some damages, but no one was injured.

On the opening day of the 27th Assembly of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, Captain Dick Simon Danielsen received a special Bravery Award on behalf of the total crew on board M/V Charlotte Mærsk. The crew of 25 received the Bravery Award for their eminent and brave extinction of a fast developing and vehement fire with flames of a height of up to 15 metres that suddenly broke out in a container with dangerous goods in July 2010. The crew succeeded in fighting the fire without any professional assistance and thereby they saved both the ship and its cargo. The jury emphasized that the crew had done far more than what can be expected in such a hazardous situation. http://maritimeaccident.org/2011/11/charlotte-maersk-gets-bravery-award/

Following the fire on board the "Charlotte Maersk", the Maersk Line has placed an immediate ban on the carrying of the disinfectant calcium hypochlorite, which is considered the main suspect for having caused the fire which raged for nearly two weeks. Calcium hypochlorite is used as a household disinfectant and is more commonly found in swimming pool cleaners (pool chlorine), which needs to be kept separate from other organic material and in a cool dry place. It is capable of self-heating and rapid decomposition, with the release of toxic chlorine gas. Maersk has advised Chinese and Hong Kong shippers that containers with calcium hypochlorite will be refused shipment, in order to “ensure a safe voyage for our vessels”. Consignments that have already been loaded will however be carried. The ship and cargo was made subject to a General Average declaration following the fire.