Fire-damaged HMM Platinum waits off South Africa for permission to enter Ngqura

The fire-damaged containership HMM Platinum remains off South Africa while she waits for permission to berth at Ngqura. Transnet National Ports Authority has confirmed that it has received a request for the ship to enter, but says clearance depends on consultations with the relevant authorities and on the availability of berths, equipment and operational resources.

The Liberian-flagged ship was sailing from Kattupalli in India to Santos in Brazil when a fire was reported in a container off southern Madagascar in early October. All 24 crew were reported safe. Carrying about 2,300 containers, she is being assisted by SMIT under a Lloyd's Open Form salvage agreement.

HMM said on 23 October that firefighting had reached the final dampening-down stage, with further measures and investigations planned once the fire was fully out. Durban was first considered as a port of refuge before other South African options were explored, and the port authority has now confirmed that the current request concerns Ngqura, the deep-water container port in the Coega zone near Gqeberha. It has not said when, or whether, permission will be granted, and the ship remains outside South African port limits.

The extent of damage to ship and cargo has not been confirmed, although containers close to the fire may have suffered heat, smoke or water damage. Cargo interests are expected to provide salvage security before affected cargo can be forwarded or released.

Claims specialist WE Cox has said a general average declaration remains possible. That would require cargo owners to provide further security towards the shared costs of the casualty, on top of the salvage security.

This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 11 November 2026.