Shippers with cargo on the Maersk Frankfurt, which has endured fires onboard for six days, will receive General Average (GA) notices from the vessel’s owner, Tokei Kaiun, according to the latest update from Maersk.

“We have been informed that the vessel owner has decided to declare General Average and has appointed Richards Hogg Lindley as the GA adjusters to collect the necessary securities,” the Danish carrier, which had chartered the vessel, informed affected customers.

“This means that once the onboard containers are discharged at a safe location, they will not be released for onward transportation or delivery until the required security arrangements are made through the GA adjusters,” Maersk explained.

Maersk announced that it would soon provide guidelines on the GA process.

A Maersk source told The Loadstar that firefighting operations were still ongoing, and the vessel remained stable in all operational respects.

“Some visible flames have been reported from the vessel, and smoldering from containers continues,” the carrier stated.

The Indian Coast Guard reported yesterday that sporadic fires in “smoldering containers” were being tackled with dry chemical powder dropped onto the ship from a helicopter.

Maersk informed customers that it was not yet able to ascertain and confirm the exact status of the cargo onboard, adding that it remained in continuous contact with the vessel owner.

It’s also unclear where the vessel will berth for cargo unloading once it is declared “seaworthy”.

According to industry sources, approximately 1,100 containers were onboard when the fire broke out during the vessel’s maiden voyage. However, Maersk has not released any official data.

The Maersk Frankfurt, built in 2024, is owned by Japan’s Tokei Kaiun, managed by Bernard Schulte Shipmanagement, and on a time-charter to Maersk. It was part of the FI3 (Far East-India) service, with a rotation including Qingdao, Xingang, Busan, Port Klang, Nhava Sheva, Pipavav, Karachi, Mundra, Colombo, Port Klang, Singapore, and Qingdao. ONE recently joined the weekly FI3 as a co-loader.

Industry experts suggest that apportioning salvage costs to each cargo owner and their recovery will be challenging and time-consuming. GA adjusters could take months, or even years, to raise claims, sources believe.

“Containers will be released once shippers cover their portion of the claims,” one source familiar with maritime cargo insurance matters told The Loadstar.

“It’s a daunting task, and any cargo loaded without insurance coverage could just be abandoned, especially low-value shipments,” the official added.

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