Reports have emerged that Maersk Seoul has suffered an explosion on board in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident occurred on July 22 while the vessel was en route from Jebel Ali carrying fruit cargo. Preliminary reports show that the fire was caused by an explosion in some of the containers.

Maersk Seoul was taken to Hulaylah Terminal. It stayed there for about a week and on August 2 it was anchored at Mina Rashid.

One of Maersk's client,s Werner van Rooyen of South Africa’s Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, said for Fruitnet:

“We are currently awaiting feedback from Maersk and additional information for the vessel’s movements before and after the incident. The vessel has not called at South Africa for the last two months so any cargo affected is likely to be cargo at transhipment ports.”

Last reported position of Maersk Seoul

Maersk Seoul

Photo: Manuel Hernández Lafuente