North America

MOL Initiative: further information on General Average and Salvage Security requirements
(Updated on 18 Apr)

On 11 April 2005 we wrote to inform you that the owners of the vessel, MOL Initiative, had declared General Average (GA) following a fire onboard the vessel off the coast of Japan and on 13 April updated you that the vessel was being towed towards Japan.

We would like to inform you that the MOL Initiative has since berthed at Tokyo on 17 April 2006 and commenced cargo discharge operations.

APL has now been advised by the Average Adjusters, Asai & Ichikawa of Japan, that they have, in addition to being appointed by the shipowners as Adjusters for General Average, also been appointed by the Salvors as Adjusters for salvage and to collect Salvage Security. Customers are required to provide Salvage Security under the terms of the Japan Shipping Exchange (2005) salvage agreement. Asai & Ichikawa has appointed agents to collect the documentary requirements for General Average and Salvage Security according to the place of delivery for your cargoes. Letter detailing the above-mentioned information will be sent out to customers.

Please be assured that we are working closely with MOL, the vessel’s operator, to minimise the impact on your cargoes resulting from the fire aboard the MOL Initiative, and we thank you for your understanding in this situation.

If you need any additional information at this stage, your local Customer Service or APL representative will be pleased to assist.

MOL Initiative: Currently under tow to Uraga, Tokyo
(Updated 13 Apr 2006)

APL has today been notified by MOL the operators of the MOL Initiative (019W APX Service), that the vessel is under tow to Uraga following extinguishing of the fire which broke out aboard the vessel on 3 April 2006.

If towing proceeds as scheduled, the MOL Initiative is expected to arrive at Uraga around 10.00am local time on Sunday 16 April 2006, with the likelihood of berthing at Tokyo that afternoon.

MOL has also advised that all reefer containers aboard the vessel have been connected to portable generators.

We are working with MOL on arrangements for on-carriage of the vessel’s cargo and will provide further information as soon as it is available. It is important to note that these arrangements will be subject to the terms and conditions of General Average, which was declared by the vessel’s owner on 11 April 2006.

If you need any additional information at this stage, your local Customer Service or APLL representative will be pleased to assist.

MOL Initiative: General Average declared
(Updated 11 April 2006)

APL has today been notified by MOL Euro-Oriental Shipping S.A., owners of the vessel MOL Initiative (019W, APX Service), that they have declared General Average, following a fire on the vessel on 3 April 2006 off the coast of Japan.

As you may know, General Average (GA) is the method by which owners recover extraordinary costs incurred in protecting cargo and vessel as a result of a marine casualty.

Because GA has been declared, the vessel operator is required to hold your cargo pending authority to release from their appointed General Average Adjustors, Asai and Ichikawa of Tokyo.

Attached is a letter from MOL Euro-Oriental Shipping S.A. providing information on the procedures you will need to follow and the forms for providing the Average Bond and Average Guarantee.

Please note that, as salvors have been engaged, there will be a requirement to post separate salvage security to the salvors at the completion of the salvage operation. As yet we have not received any information regarding the Salvage security but will advise you when this is received in due course.

We recommend that you immediately notify your cargo underwriters that General Average has been declared.

We would like to thank you for your co-operation and understanding in this regrettable situation. If you need any additional information at this stage, please contact your local Customer Service or APL representative.

APL Panama Update
(Updated 11 Apr 2006)

All cargo has been discharged from the APL Panama at the Port of Ensenada following its recovery from a Dec. 25 grounding incident.

Customers have been notified that the final 513 containers on board the vessel were lifted off April 9. Containers are available for pick-up once cargo owners post security required under applicable salvage and General Average rules.

The APL Panama is at anchor off the coast of Ensenada. It’s expected that the vessel’s owners will have it towed back to Asia for repairs.

Claims specialists and insurance adjustors will now determine the total cost of the APL Panama grounding and apportion costs among the ship’s owners, charterer and cargo owners in accordance with applicable legal rules.

If you have questions about the disposition of your cargo, please notify your APL customer service representative.

HYUNDAI FORTUNE: Currently under tow to Salalah Port
(Updated 10 Apr 2006)

APL has today been notified by Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) the operators of the Hyundai Fortune (Voyage No. 333), that the vessel is under tow to Salalah Port in the Sultanate of Oman, following a fire on the vessel on 21 March 2006.

If towing proceeds as scheduled, the Hyundai Fortune is expected to arrive at Salalah Port around the morning (local time) of 12 April 2006. The vessel and cargo will undergo inspection after arrival at Salalah Port.

We are working with HMM on arrangements for on-carriage of the vessel’s cargo and will provide further information as soon as it is available. It is important to note that these arrangements will be subject to the terms and conditions of General Average, which was declared by the vessel’s owner on 5 April 2006.

If you need any additional information at this stage, your local Customer Service or APL representative will be pleased to assist.

Fire now extinguished on the MOL Initiative 019W, APX Service
(Updated 10 Apr 2006)

Last week we wrote to advise you that a fire broke out on 3 April 2006 in the engine room of the MOL Initiative 019W, APX Service, while en route from the U.S. West Coast port of Oakland to Tokyo with your shipment onboard.

We are writing to update you that MOL advise the fire was completely extinguished around 1.30pm local time on Sunday 9 April. Preparations are now been made for the vessel to be inspected by the Japanese Coast Guard, and the cause of the fire to be investigated.

The vessel is at anchor in an area near Hakodate, Japan. While we are not yet able to provide additional information about the condition of the cargo, we will do so as soon as this is available.

Once again, we sincerely regret the impact of the fire aboard the vessel. If you require any further information at this stage, please contact your local Customer Services or APL representative.