Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) is the operator of the feeder ship ASL Bauhinia, whose crew abandoned the vessel on 28 January, after it caught fire.
The Hong Kong-flagged 2022-built 1,930 TEU ASL Bauhinia and its sister vessel, ASL Peony, were chartered from Hong Kong-based intra-Asia carrier Asean Seas Line and are deployed to ESL’s Gulf-Red Sea Connector service. China United Lines is understood to co-load on the service.
ASL Bauhinia was sailing from Jebel Ali to Jeddah at the time and an explosion reportedly occurred about 225 kilometres off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. The crew evacuated on life rafts and was rescued by another ship. None of the seafarers were injured. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
S&P Global’s vessel-tracking data shows the ASL Bauhinia is now anchored at Hodeidah.
The ASL Bauhinia was carrying hazardous goods and this has been speculated to be the cause of the fire.
There have been theories that given the position of the vessel, it could have been attacked by the Houthis, despite the Yemen-backed rebel group asserting it will stop targeting non-Israeli-owned ships with the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
Vespucci Maritime CEO Lars Jensen said in a LinkedIn post that there is no basis for linking the blast on ASL Bauhinia to any Houthi activity despite the accident happening in the same area.
“This could well develop into a General Average situation and shippers with cargo on “ASL Bauhinia” would be well advised to check their insurance coverage,” noted Jansen.
Alison Koo
Asian Correspondent
