The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said that firefighters of the Fire Brigade successfully extinguished the fire that broke out yesterday (11) in a ship at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Port of Colombo. At present, the fire has been completely extinguished.
The statement adds that a sudden fire occurred in the Container vessel MV MSC CAPETOWN III at The Jaya Container Terminal (JCT ) berth IV at the Port of Colombo around 0030 hrs yesterday (11th Aug. 2024). All operations staff and crews were safely evacuated from the ship. The MV MSC CAPETOWN III belongs to the shipping company of Geneva, Switzerland, and is called at the port of Colombo from Singapore.
Hon. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation – Nimal Siripala de Silva, has instructed the Chairman of SLPA – Mr. Keith D. Bernard, to conduct a full investigation into this incident. He also thanked and commended the immediate response and preventive measures taken by the SLPA Fire Brigade to extinguish the fire completely.
The quick response, timely measures, and expertise of SLPA staff and firefighters have further proven the Port of ColColombo’smpetency and efficiency as an international container port, effectively and successfully handling sudden and hazardous situations.
The Chairman of SLPA said that the SLPA Fire Brigade had quickly doused the fire aboard the ship. “An“investigation into the incident was launched,” he” said. The Chairman also said a comprehensive report on the incident would be prepared, and the insurers would hold their inquiries.
The vessel was scheduled to unload 995 containers and load 880 at the port.
