The situation onboard the DFDS cargo ship that caught fire on its way from Jersey to Portsmouth yesterday is “under control”, the Danish shipping firm has said as it awaits the arrival of a back-up vessel to help with freight sailings.
The update follows an emergency response to a fire in the engine room of the Caesarea Trader – previously the Condor-owned Commodore Goodwill – first reported at around 4.15pm on Monday.
In a further statement this morning, DFDS said that the vessel remains safely anchored off the Isle of Wight and that all crew members and the one passenger onboard are safe.
“The onboard situation is under control,” the update stated.
“DFDS is working with port authorities to bring the vessel into port at an appropriate time for further assessment.”
It explained that, to maintain freight connectivity to Jersey, Stena Vinga – which also operates on the Portsmouth route – will carry out “an additional freight-only sailing” today, which was scheduled to depart Portsmouth at 10:30am this morning.
“Impacted freight customers will be contacted directly,” the statement added.
“Back-up vessel MV Arrow is sailing from Dunkerque today and is expected to arrive in Portsmouth at 6am tomorrow. We are working with freight customers to finalise a revised operating schedule.”
