A containership caught fire as it arrived at the Balboa terminal on Tuesday. The vessel operating under charter to MSC had an engine room fire when it was approaching Balboa terminal, Panama near the Pacific Ocean terminus of the Panama Canal.
The traffic on the Pacific Access Channel was affected by this incident. Two fireboats responded to the cape Kortia and helped maneuver it. According to Panama Canal Authority, the incident affected another bulker, and possibly a minor collision occurred during the incident.
Containership Cape Kortia
Cape Kortia, an 11,000 TEU vessel was arriving in Panama after journeying to South America where it made the last call in Callao, Peru. The reported fire occurred when the 134,869 dwt containership was maneuvering towards the Balboa Terminal. Video of the incident recorded by nearby locals and media shows smoke billowing from the vessel’s funnel Bridge of the Americas.
Vehicles crossing the bridge reported thick smoke across the bridge. At the same time, onlookers filed the incident flocking to the water’s edge.
Rescue
The vessel reportedly lost control before fire crew and tugs from the Panama Canal Authority responded. Cape Kortia is woned by Costmare Shipping of Greece. The 1082 feet long containership possibly collided with another vessel. I was reportedly a bulker named Ernst Oldensoff (38,300 dwt), according to Panama media. The bulker was also approaching the Balboa terminal.
There were reportedly no injuries and traffic was revived to normal according to The Panama Canal Authority.
Reporting the incident the authority said in a statement. “The CAPE KORTIA remained briefly on its way to the Pacific Access Channel until it got removed by the Panama Canal staff,”
“These maneuvers occurred during its regular transit window and did not cause delays to vessels transiting the Panama Canal.” they added.
