Most of the cargo aboard the fire-damaged containership Espirito Santo Express is likely severely damaged or a total loss, Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express warned customers in separate advisories.
Both carriers cited information from vessel owner Seaspan. The 11,800-TEU Singapore-flagged ship caught fire on October 15 while sailing from Singapore to Santos, Brazil. The fire is now under control, but the vessel has not reached a port of refuge, and Hapag-Lloyd said reaching safety and inspecting the cargo will take considerable time.
All 28 crew members abandoned ship and were rescued by the Portuguese-flagged bulk carrier Aeolian Arrow. During recovery of the rescue boat, the bulk carrier's chief officer fell overboard and could not be recovered, according to Portuguese maritime accident investigators.
Assessment awaits port arrival
Seaspan said on October 22 that smoke and then flames were observed coming from cargo in a bay forward of the accommodation block. The cause remains under investigation, and neither carrier has provided a timeline for when the vessel might reach port.
Hapag-Lloyd said it will contact customers whose shipments may be salvageable to arrange cargo surveys once the vessel reaches port and an initial damage assessment is completed. ONE issued a similar warning and confirmed the vessel was operating on its East Coast South America Express 1 service.
For owners, charterers and brokers, the advisories provide the clearest indication yet of the scale of the losses, although a full assessment will have to wait until the ship reaches port. Cargo damage declarations of this kind typically precede general average declarations and marine insurance claims once surveys are completed.
Cover image: own work by me, Grand-Duc. Die volle Nennung des Autorenpseudonyms und der Zuschreibung wie unten stehend ist für eine L, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
