Emergency crews in Wilmington, Delaware are responding to an ongoing fire aboard the Liberian-flagged container ship Chiquita Voyager, marking the second major container ship fire in less than a week.
According to ShipAtlas, the Chiquita Voyager, which departed Puerto Cortés, Honduras on 20 November and arrived at the Port of Wilmington on 25 November, reported a generator fire while the vessel was berthed at Berth 2. Smoke was first observed coming from the ship early Wednesday, prompting an immediate multi-agency response.
Wilmington Fireboat 7, along with several land-based units, arrived quickly on scene. Initial reports suggested all crew members were accounted for, but the situation escalated when conflicting information emerged.
A Second Alarm was issued after reports indicated that two crew members were unaccounted for, triggering preparations for a high-risk entry into the vessel’s engine room. Marine units were deployed to support potential rescue operations.
Shortly afterward, the fire was confirmed to have extended beyond the engine room, with visible flames on the upper decks, complicating access for firefighters attempting to push deeper into the ship’s interior.
At least three crew members have been reported injured, all with minor burns. Firefighters are continuing interior suppression efforts under challenging conditions, with additional assets, including a tower ladder from outside the county, requested to assist.
As of the latest update, crews remain onboard actively working to contain the blaze and secure affected compartments. No official statement has yet confirmed whether all crew have been located.
This incident comes just days after the fire aboard the ONE Henry Hudson, which drew significant attention across the maritime sector. Although the circumstances differ, the back-to-back fires highlight growing concerns over engine room failures, electrical malfunctions, and fire safety on large modern container ships.
The story is developing.
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