DFDS has confirmed that a back-up vessel has been called in – and that it is working to finalise a “revised” sailing schedule for freight customers – after the Caesarea Trader suffered an engine room fire while on its way from Jersey to Portsmouth yesterday.
The Danish shipping firm said that MV Arrow, which has previously been chartered to operate in island waters, was on its way from Dunkirk and due to arrive in Portsmouth on Wednesday morning.
The update follows an emergency response to a fire in the engine room of the Caesarea Trader – previously the Condor-owned Commodore Goodwill – first reported at around 4.15pm on Monday.
We are working with freight customers to finalise a revised operating schedule
DFDS statement
In a further statement this morning, DFDS said that the vessel remains safely anchored off the Isle of Wight and that all crew members and the one passenger on board are safe.
“The on-board situation is under control,” the update stated.
“DFDS is working with port authorities to bring the vessel into port at an appropriate time for further assessment.”
The firm explained that, to maintain freight connectivity to Jersey, Stena Vinga – which also operates on the Portsmouth route – will carry out “an additional freight-only sailing” today, departing Portsmouth at 10:30 this morning.
“Impacted freight customers will be contacted directly,” the statement added.
“Back-up vessel MV Arrow is sailing from Dunkirk today and is expected to arrive in Portsmouth at 06:00 tomorrow.
“We are working with freight customers to finalise a revised operating schedule.”
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