THE fire aboard the 6,802-TEU Maersk Kampala which broke out a week ago has been extinguished before the vessel entered the Suez Canal on its way to Europe.

"Operational planning is now the priority, including port selection, contingency planning for cargo as well as the vessel's eventual return to service," Maersk said in a statement.

Smoke lingered about the six containers that caught fire "but will stop eventually with continued spraying by the tugs and flooding by the fire-fighting teams," said Maersk Line.

Maersk also said the crew was safe and the ship was under control at all times.