HMM’s NAMU Ship to Reach Dubai as Soon as May 7; Fire Probe to Begin

HMM’s NAMU ship after an incident in the Strait of Hormuz. [Photo=HMM]

HMM’s heavy-lift vessel NAMU, which was disabled by an explosion and fire near the Strait of Hormuz, is expected to be towed to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as soon as May 7, where investigators will begin examining the cause and the ship will undergo repairs.

Shipping industry officials said May 6 that HMM has secured tugboats for the operation and will start full-scale towing late in the afternoon. If the tow proceeds without problems, the ship is expected to reach Dubai port late May 7 or early May 8.

HMM has already dispatched an investigation team to the area and plans to send additional personnel timed to the ship’s arrival. A company official said that once the vessel is berthed in Dubai, a government investigation team and outside experts will be brought in to determine the exact cause and assess the extent of damage.

The fire broke out at about 8:40 p.m. on May 4 (Korea time) on the port side of the engine room while the Panama-flagged ship, operated by HMM, was anchored north of Sharjah in UAE waters inside the Strait of Hormuz.

There were 24 crew members aboard — six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals — and no injuries were reported.

Five HMM-operated vessels are currently stuck inside the Persian Gulf, within the Strait of Hormuz: two crude oil and petroleum product carriers, two bulk carriers and one container ship. The NAMU is a bulk carrier.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Lee nakyeong nakk@ajunews.com