Container Ship Fire, Responders Asked for ID

A container ship caught fire at the Manila International Container Terminal in The Philippines on Saturday.

The Philippine Coast Guard and local authorities responded with tugs and fire trucks to assist the crew’s fire-fighting efforts.

However, according to local media reports, it took almost nine hours to contain the fire on the 220m Cape Moreton partly because responders were unfamiliar with the ship and partly because were asked by the crew to show ID before boarding the vessel.

Media reports indicate that there may have been an explosion inside containers carrying sodium hydroxide that sent flames and smoke billowing up from the cargo area.

The extent of the damage to the vessel is unknown at this stage.

Cape Moreton has a Russian crew, is owned by Cape Moreton Shipping and is operated by Hanse Bereederung GmbH.