Container Shipping

Yantian Express sails for Bahamas following January 3 fire

Baird Maritime
Image: MarineTraffic.com/Fausto Mallus – Yantian Express in 2013

The containership Yantian Express, which was severely crippled by fire in a highly-publicised incident on January 3, is now sailing towards the Bahamas under its own power, according to a statement by operator Hapag-Lloyd.

The 321-metre vessel is proceeding to the Port of Freeport while being escorted by a tug from Smit Towage and is due to arrive there on the last week of January.

The remaining onboard containers will undergo further recovery and assessment once the vessel arrives in Freeport.

Yantian Express was originally reported as being towed to Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, Hapag-Lloyd's recent statement confirms that the vessel has been re-routed to Freeport for cargo recovery to be conducted in a safer environment.