UAE - Mubasher: The logistics and operational facilities of Jebel Ali Port have not incurred any damage from the fire that broke out at 11:55 pm on Wednesday, 7 July 2021, due to a blaze onboard the container ship "Ocean Trader", the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei, announced on Thursday.
Al Mazrouei confirmed that the movement of ships at Jebel Ali Port has not been affected by the accident due to its distance from the main shipping line and the water channel in the Port.
The Minister said that the fire was brought under control within 44 minutes because of years of planned preparation in developing infrastructure in ports and offshore facilities in the UAE, alongside the immediate response.
The ship's crew and workers were evacuated promptly after the fire had broken out, and the rescue team ensured that there were no radioactive materials on the ship while controlling the fire and ensuring no fatalities.
The rescue operations team included the DP World UAE Region team, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, and personnel from the Dubai Civil Defense and the Dubai Police.
"Our priority now is to safeguard the marine environment by monitoring the situation and preventing the release of harmful substances in the water body," the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure emphasised.
The minister added that the Maritime Department at the Ministry will continue investigations on the accident and coordinate with the relevant international authorities to intensify precautionary measures.
In a separate statement, Jebel Ali Port said that the fire occurred in a container in a ship carrying flammable materials, and Jebel Ali Port authorities are continuing investigations on the cause of the fire and its circumstances.
