Further to our previous update on Yantian Express and its General Average situation, new information available from ONE states that the vessel repairs are now nearing completion and a declaration of seaworthiness is expected shortly for the vessel..
The Yantian Express has been in Freeport, Bahamas since early February 2019 after it went up in flames on the 3rd of Jan 2019 while on its way from Colombo to Halifax via the Suez Canal..
On January 25, 2019, Hapag Lloyd declared “General Average” for the Yantian Express and Salvors SMIT Salvage Americas, LLC had set an early security demand in order to expedite the collection of salvage security and to facilitate on-carriage of cargo to destination..
As per the latest information, although the deadline for submission has long expired, the indications are that General Average and Salvage security has still not been posted for about one third of containers concerned..
In order to assist the progress of vessel operational proceedings and salvage company approval, the lines are appealing to all cargo interests to provide the requested General Average and Salvage security in order to allow the containers to be delivered..
It is in the interest of all cargo owners to submit the required securities as otherwise, apart from not receiving their cargoes, the delays could mean higher costs for customers still wanting to retrieve the cargo that is on board..
In the meantime, pending final technical approval of vessel class and refitting of hatch covers, the Yantian Express is expected to depart from Freeport, Bahamas in the first half of May 2019 with the balance of cargo that is still on board..
The vessel is expected proceed to Halifax, Nova Scotia (original destination) for delivery of remaining containers onboard.. The exact date is expected to be confirmed once forward schedule and terminal arrangements have been finally concluded, said ONE..
Update : 10th May 2019
While there has been no direct update from Hapag Lloyd the operator of Yantian Express, the latest update from their alliance partner ONE is as below..
The vessel is currently berthed at the terminal in the Bahamas. Reloading of all containers previously discharged ashore for inspection has now been completed. Accordingly all cargoes, whether security has been provided or not, are now on board the MV “Yantian Express”.
Dependent on final technical approval of vessel class, arrival of spare parts and conclusion of repairs, MV “Yantian Express” is now tentatively scheduled to depart from Freeport, Bahamas on May 15, 2019 with an ETA to Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 19, 2019.
For those customers who have arranged salvage and General Average security, their cargo will be delivered in the usual way under the relevant contract of carriage.
However, all other customers are kindly reminded, that:
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- the salvors will not permit delivery of the cargo until salvage security has been put in place.
- General Average security needs to be provided in addition prior to delivery of cargo.
I dont understand this. why put the cargo in GA starus while I believe cargo all insured
So it is in the interest of the uninsured cargo owners (shippers and their agents) to put down a bond to cover the value of cargo that is less that the General Average? How is that again?
Now it could be in the interest of the high value cargo shippers to have the others pay, but not necessarily every shipper. You could even have insurance, but with insufficient value to cover the total costs. It might be in their contract, but there are always “outs”.