General Average has been declared following the cargo hold fire aboard the CMA CGM Petra, with cargo interests now required to provide security before their cargo can be released.
Marine claims specialist W K Webster said it had been advised that the shipowners declared General Average due to extraordinary costs incurred to protect the vessel and cargo following the casualty.
The development follows a fire aboard the containership on 23 August while it was sailing through the Strait of Malacca.
The fire was initially contained by the crew. However, professional salvors were subsequently required to assist with firefighting and salvage operations.
No crew injuries or pollution were reported.
Cargo interests required to provide security
The General Average declaration means cargo interests will need to provide the required security before their cargo can be released.
W K Webster said it is working with the appointed Average Adjusters to establish the form and wording of the required securities.
The marine claims specialist is also arranging for a fire expert to attend the vessel and investigate the cause and origin of the fire.
Under General Average, extraordinary costs or sacrifices incurred to protect a vessel and its cargo from a common maritime danger can ultimately be shared among the interests involved.
The declaration does not mean that every container aboard the vessel was damaged. Instead, cargo interests may be required to provide guarantees or other security while the General Average adjustment process is carried out.
Around 450 containers discharged at Port Klang
Following the incident, the CMA CGM Petra moved to Port Klang, Malaysia, where approximately 450 containers were scheduled to be discharged for inspection, according to W K Webster.
Separately, W.E. Cox Claims Group reported on 14 September that at least 450 containers were being discharged for inspection.
At that stage, W.E. Cox said General Average was likely to be declared and identified Albatross Adjusters Limited as the appointed average adjuster.
The company also reported that SMIT Salvage had been appointed to assist with firefighting and salvage operations.
CMA CGM issued earlier customer advisory
The CMA CGM Petra was operating on CMA CGM’s KILIMA service, connecting Asian ports with destinations in East Africa.
CMA CGM issued a second customer advisory concerning the vessel on 9 September, identifying the affected voyage as 0K13NW1MA.
W.E. Cox said the 2024-built, French-flagged containership was sailing from Singapore towards Lamu, Kenya, when the fire occurred. The KILIMA rotation also includes Colombo, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established.
