Maersk Honam to be rebuilt in South Korea

The 15,262-TEU containership was heavily damaged in a March 2018 fire that killed five crewmen.

   The Maersk Honam, a containership that was heavily damaged last March in a catastrophic fire that killed five crew members, will be rebuilt.
   Maersk told American Shipper that the ship has been cut into two parts at Drydock World Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
   “In February 2019, the sound part of the vessel Maersk Honam will be
transported on a heavy-lift vessel to Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard
in South Korea, where it will be rebuilt,” explained Janina Von Spalding, a spokeswoman for Maersk.
   After the fire in the Arabian Sea, Maersk Honam underwent “thorough inspections and discharge operations in the Jebel Ali Port (UAE) in June 2018. Maersk worked closely with the local authorities, insurance companies, the salvage company and other stakeholders to prepare a safe and environmentally friendly plan for clearing the vessel of all damaged containers, debris and firefighting water.”
   The ship was then moved to Drydock World Dubai,  where the “sound, 228.5-meters-long section from midship to stern will be transported aboard the heavy-lift vessel Xin Guan Hua to South Korea. The heavy-lift vessel Xin Guan Hua has an overall length of 255 meters and can load up to 25 tons/m² on the main deck. It is expected to deliver the sound section at Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard in South Korea in March 2019, the same yard the vessel was built in,” explained Von Spalding. “At the Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard, the sound section of Maersk Honam will be rebuilt with a new forward section.
   “The former forward section will be safely moored at Drydock World Dubai for continued removal of damaged containers and debris,” she added. “Once cleaned, it will be recycled. In accordance with our Responsible Ship Recycling Standard (RSRS), relevant recycling options are currently being investigated and evaluated. The rebuilt vessel is expected to resume service again in the second half of 2019.”
   The Maersk Honam was registered in Singapore and Maersk says, “The official investigation to determine the cause of the fire is conducted by the authorities of the flag state and still ongoing.”
   Von Spalding said  Maersk “started taking preliminary actions shortly after the incident and we will continue to examine processes closely and engage in discussions with other carriers, to increase fire safety in our industry.”
   The company is working with the National Cargo Bureau and other carriers that are members of the Cargo Incident Notification System to inspect containers and determine whether shippers are properly declaring, labeling and packing hazardous materials.