The owners of the ONE Henry Hudson have declared General Average following a multi-day fire at the Port of Los Angeles, marking a complex and technically demanding salvage operation. The vessel, owned by Fukujin Kisen and chartered to Ocean Network Express (ONE), returned to its berth at Yusen Terminal late Wednesday after firefighting efforts transitioned to removing damaged cargo and contaminated water.
Richards Hogg Lindley has been appointed as the Average Adjusters to coordinate the collection of securities and necessary documentation from cargo owners.
Under the General Average declaration, cargo will not be released until the necessary arrangements are made with the Average Adjusters, who will work directly with cargo interests and their insurers.
The fire broke out last Friday evening in the lower-deck compartments while the vessel was moored. All 23 crew members were safely evacuated, and nearly 200 Los Angeles City firefighters responded. A mid-ship explosion that evening knocked out the vessel’s power, forcing the firefighting teams to retreat and fight the blaze from the pier.
Capt. Stacey Crecy of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Incident Commander, said, “The initial firefighting efforts, the relocation of the vessel to an offshore anchorage, and the movement back to the pier were all critical operations that needed precise coordination. Now, we begin the next phase, which involves the careful removal and disposal of damaged cargo and firefighting water.”
After hazmat concerns arose, the vessel was moved offshore and anchored about one mile from Angel’s Gate Lighthouse for continued firefighting. Los Angeles Port Police, fire boats, the U.S. Coast Guard, and tug operators escorted the vessel back.
The salvage operation involves complex logistics. Containers must be sorted into fire-damaged, water-damaged, and undamaged categories. DONJON-SMIT, the salvage team, has deployed global experts to support the operation. Cargo hold 03 is approximately 80% flooded due to initial firefighting efforts, though vessel stability remains within safe limits.
All waste, including firefighting water, will be properly disposed of under an approved waste management plan, with contaminated water transported to designated treatment facilities.
The Port of Los Angeles expressed its gratitude for the efforts that contained and extinguished the fire. “With community safety as our priority, the combined efforts allowed for the safe transport of the vessel,” the port stated.
Air quality monitoring continues, with all readings staying below action thresholds. The incident temporarily halted operations at four out of seven container terminals and led to closures on State Route 47 due to smoke, but port activities have since resumed.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
