CARGO in containers on board the 2,700-TEU Singapore-flagged X-Press Pearl caught fire in the Colombo Anchorage, reported Singapore's Splash 247.

The ship arrived at Colombo on May 19 from Hazira India, with 1,486 containers on board, loaded among other goods, with nitric acid, sundry chemicals and cosmetics.

The Sri Lankan Navy is engaged in firefighting, as of 0330 UTC May 21 the ship was in the same position with deployment of tug or tugs, including offshore tugs.

The Sri Lankan Navy dispatched two patrol vessels the Sagara and Sindurala, and a fast attack craft, as well as a Sri Lankan firefighting tug.

"Meanwhile, special team comprising Sri Lanka Navy and Ports Authority (SLPA) personnel got onboard the ship in the evening (20th) and inspected the situation onboard ship where they suspected that the fire was erupted due to a reaction to the chemicals being transported on the ship," the Sri Lankan Navy said.

According to Sri Lankan Navy, ship is manned with 25 crew, which includes Philippine, Chinese, Indian and Russian nationalities. The ship is brand new, she was built in China, started trading in February.

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