Container Ship Diverts to Tenerife After Smoke Detected in Combustible Cargo Containers

Photo Source: Hennie Stander on Unsplash

A Danish-flagged container ship, the Rhine Maersk, en route from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to Algeciras, Spain, was forced to change course and head to the port of Tenerife after crew members detected smoke and high temperatures in a section of containers carrying combustible cargo. The crew's rapid response, following strict safety protocols, prevented a potential disaster on board as they stabilized the situation while navigating toward Tenerife.

Rhine Maersk tracked via ShipXplorer.com

Emergency responders, including the Tenerife Fire Department, were prepared to contain the situation upon arrival. Firefighters used water to extinguish the smoke and carefully cooled nearby containers to prevent the fire from spreading. The prompt intervention allowed for a successful operation and thirteen affected containers were safely unloaded at the Tenerife Container Terminal (TCT).

According to a Maersk representative, the ship and crew were unharmed, and all essential systems, such as machinery, navigation, and steering, were fully operational. Following a comprehensive safety assessment, Rhine Maersk is expected to resume its journey toward Port Tangier Med to complete its route.

While incidents like these have become less frequent with advancements in ship safety and monitoring, container fires remain a significant challenge for the shipping industry. In a recent report, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) warned that container fires continue to occur with concerning regularity — approximately every 60 days. Despite a 50% decline in vessel losses over the past decade, the frequency of container fires underscores the risks associated with transporting dangerous goods. As recent cases have demonstrated, issues such as misdeclared and improperly packaged cargo remain at the heart of the problem.

Earlier this year, another Maersk vessel, the Maersk Frankfurt, caught fire off the Indian coast, burning for four days and tragically claiming the life of a crew member. These incidents highlight the need for stricter enforcement of existing regulations governing hazardous cargo and improved container inspection protocols to protect crews and vessels from such hazards.