ONE Updates ESPIRITO SANTO EXPRESS Fire Incident: 20 Containers Drift Away at Sea

Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Hapag-Lloyd have released an update on the fire incident involving the ESPIRITO SANTO EXPRESS, a container vessel owned by Seaspan and operated by Hapag-Lloyd. The vessel, carrying approximately 11,900 TEU, caught fire while sailing near the coast of Brazil en route to Singapore. The incident has raised concerns about cargo safety, container recovery, and potential disruptions to international shipping schedules.

Following the fire, the vessel’s crew abandoned ship, and 28 crew members were evacuated by the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel Aeolian Arrow. Reports indicate that the vessel subsequently drifted at sea after the crew left. As of the latest update referenced in the report, the full extent of cargo damage and the vessel’s final condition remained unclear.

In an announcement dated October 22, Hapag-Lloyd stated that firefighting and salvage operations were continuing. The vessel was reportedly being kept approximately 10 nautical miles offshore while assessments and recovery efforts progressed. ONE also indicated that the estimated time of arrival (ETA) remained under review, with no confirmed updated arrival time available at that stage.

The latest report also stated that 20 empty containers had drifted away from the vessel and were located approximately 57 nautical miles offshore. The Brazilian Navy requested that nearby vessels maintain a distance of at least 10 nautical miles from the affected ship. Shippers and cargo owners using this service should monitor official carrier advisories for updates on vessel status, cargo recovery, and possible schedule changes.