On 10 August, a fire broke out in the engine room of the refrigerated cargo vessel Dole Colombia while the ship was berthed at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware, USA. The Bahamas-flagged vessel was carrying a cargo of bananas when smoke was seen rising from the ship’s funnel, prompting an immediate response from local fire services.
According to the vessel’s master, the fire originated in one of the generators located in the engine room. Additional firefighting units were dispatched to the scene while emergency procedures were immediately initiated on board.
Before firefighters entered the machinery space, the crew sealed the engine room and activated the vessel’s fixed fire suppression system. These actions successfully contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the ship.
Firefighters continued monitoring temperatures around the engine room and remained on standby until it was confirmed that the fire had been fully brought under control. All crew members were accounted for and remained safe, and no injuries were reported.
Built in 1999, Dole Colombia is a 204.9-meter refrigerated cargo vessel sailing under the Bahamas flag. The ship is specially designed to transport temperature-sensitive cargoes, particularly bananas, and is equipped with powerful refrigeration systems to maintain cargo quality during long voyages. Authorities are investigating the cause of the generator fire while assessing the extent of damage to the engine room.
