Caption: Fire fighters and equipment in a port in the USA recently, putting of the fire on car carrier; Höegh Xiamen loaded with used vehicles destined for West Africa
About 2000 vehicles that were destined for Nigeria and some West African countries have been consumed in an inferno which erupted on a car carrying vessel; MV Höegh Xiamen.
The ship was berthed at the Blount Island vehicle handling terminal at the US port of Jacksonville (Jaxport), where the fire started on Thursday June 4th.
The Jacksonville’s JAXPORT is one of the leading auto ports in the United States with more than 695,000 vehicles moved in 2019.
Port officials confirmed that, the Hoegh Xiamen is carrying a consignment of used cars intended for export to the West African market.
Reports said the fire started around 4pm on the seventh deck, but quickly spread to other decks at a temperature of about 1000 degree Celsius, leading to the invitation of firefighters from Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department who spent three days to put the fire under control.
News of the accident which broke in Nigeria early last week has led to fear among owners of the used vehicles that were imported from several parts of the United States of America and destined for Nigeria.
Our correspondent confirmed last week that, more than half of the vehicles were destined for the Nigerian automobile market. The ship was actually set to sail before the accident happened.
Some car importers who have consignments on board the ill-fated ship told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that they have already been contacted by the shipping line.
The ill-fated Höegh Xiamen, is owned by Höegh Autoliners and during the time of the incident was being operated via charter by Grimaldi Group.
It had loaded 2,000 used cars at Jaxport and was ready for departure.
While battling a fire, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said an explosion occurred, injuring firefighters. Eight firefighters were injured in the explosion, and an additional firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.
All the21 crew were confirmed safe.
In his immediate reaction to the accident, Höegh Autoliners CEO; Mr Thor Jørgen Guttormsen expressed gratitude to the fire fighters and the US Coast Guard. He was however silent on the fate of the owners of the vehicles that got burnt.
“We are continually grateful for the assistance of the State of Florida, the US Coast Guard, the Port of Jacksonville and especially the firefighters whose ongoing hard work and expertise have brought the fire under control,” said “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the firefighters who sustained injuries during the initial response to the fire and we wish them a speedy recovery.”
Hoegh said there were no reports of any pollution and the situation was being continually
Efforts by Shipping Position Daily to get a reaction to the Höegh Xiamen accident and the fate of the Nigerian importers from the Managing Director of Grimaldi, Nigeria; Mr Ascanio Russo were futile.
He refused to pick calls made severally to his telephone line, he also refused to respond to messages that were sent to his telephone and WhatsApp.
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