Engine Troubles Affect Cargo Ship Bound for China
One of the sisterships to the containership Dali, which caused damage to Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge, is currently facing engine troubles in the Pacific Ocean. The vessel, managed by Synergy Marine and sailing under charter as the Maersk Saltoro, is experiencing delays and risking a cargo of Chilean cherries bound for China.
The vessel departed from Chile on December 27 and was scheduled to arrive in China on January 19 to offload its cargo of Chilean cherries before the Chinese New Year Holiday on January 29. However, on January 13, the Maersk Saltoro reported a technical issue with its main engine while en route from San Antonio, Chile, to Nansha New Port, China.
With 1,300 containers of perishable cargo onboard, the vessel’s engine troubles have raised concerns among Chilean shippers. The delay in delivery could result in economic losses for Chilean exporters, as timely delivery is crucial to maintain the quality of the cherries and meet the strict requirements of the Chinese market.
Maersk, the charterer of the vessel, has confirmed the technical issue and stated that the ship is currently undergoing repairs to resume its voyage. The shipping line is closely monitoring the situation and is in communication with the ship owners to ensure the timely completion of repairs.
The Maersk Saltoro was built in 2015 by Hyundai in South Korea and has a capacity of 9,971 TEU. The vessel’s previous port call in Baltimore in September 2024 raised concerns following the Dali‘s bridge incident. Investigations by U.S. authorities found electrical system issues and faults with the Dali, leading to further scrutiny of the Maersk Saltoro.
Despite a clean Port State inspection in Chile in December 2024, the Maersk Saltoro has a history of issues during inspections in the U.S. The vessel is currently undergoing repairs in Micronesia’s exclusive economic zone, with no confirmed arrival date in China.
While the vessel’s repairs continue, Maersk has assured support to the shippers and emphasized its commitment to assisting in any claims that may arise due to the delay. The shipping line remains dedicated to ensuring the safe and timely delivery of the cargo to its destination.