Pictures courtesy of Responders

 

A fire broke out aboard the large container vessel COSCO KAOHSIUNG while it was preparing to berth at Pier D3 operated by Hutchison at Laem Chabang Port on 12 December 2025, prompting an emergency response from port firefighting teams. The blaze originated from a single cargo container, with smoke seen billowing from the unit shortly before 17:00. Authorities acted swiftly to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby containers, including those carrying controlled goods.

 

The incident occurred when smoke was detected coming from container number OOCU6547866, located at bay No.14, row 10, tier 84 on the vessel. The container, owned by COSCO, was carrying fan motors and accessories. At that stage, the ship was in the process of entering the D3 berth at Laem Chabang Port.

 

By 17.35, three port fire engines were deployed to the front of the berth while the ship’s crew began cooling operations to reduce the temperature of the affected container. At 17.43, a five-member firefighting team from Laem Chabang Port prepared to board the vessel and access the incident area directly. The precise position of the container was later confirmed at 17.48 as row 5, tier 2 from the port side, with several dangerous goods containers located just four to five units away.

 

Fire crews requested additional firefighting hoses to strengthen defensive cooling lines due to the proximity of these controlled cargo containers. At 17.56, flames were seen emerging from beneath the container and spreading to an adjacent unit. Firefighters were able to apply cooling water to the left and right sides but were still unable to access the seat of the fire directly.

 

At 18.00, port authorities ordered increased readiness at Pier D3 and approved a plan to lift the burning container off the vessel. The decision was taken to extinguish the fire on the quay, where access and control would be more effective. By 18.10, four tugboats from the Port Authority were on standby on the starboard side in case the vessel needed to be moved away from the berth.

 

Hutchison Ports Thailand prepared container support trays to receive the unit once it was lifted from the ship. Firefighters then engaged directly, clearing the area and containing the situation to prevent further spread. The affected container was successfully removed to the front of the berth, where crews continued external cooling operations.

 

Initial assessments indicate the fire may have been caused by batteries inside the container reacting with one another, leading to ignition. No injuries were reported, and investigations into the exact cause are ongoing.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A cargo container caught fire aboard COSCO KAOHSIUNG at Laem Chabang Port on 12 December 2025.

• Firefighters removed the container from the ship to extinguish the blaze safely on the quay.

• The fire is believed to have been caused by batteries reacting inside the container.

 

 Adapted by Asean Now 2025-12-14

 

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

The fire is believed to have been caused by batteries reacting inside the container.

All this new GREEN technology, we are saving the world.

 

I feel so much safer. 

 

Surprised? Looks like a Chinese ship.

Would be interesting to find out what the container contained and it's origin...

On 12/14/2025 at 3:50 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

All this new GREEN technology, we are saving the world.

 

I feel so much safer. 

 

Batteries for your smartphone, shaver, flashlight, pacemaker, smoke alarm, prostate massager 

 

Not LFP batteries for my solar system or BEVs 

 

 

Very professional and decisive action from the firefighter and emergency team 👌🏻

7 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Would be interesting to find out what the container contained and it's origin...

The OP has some info on contents.  A tracking site on Google said it came from Ningbo in China (near Shanghai).

 

Not great that it went on fire of course, just glad it didn't happen enroute; could've been nasty!

Good work by the fire crews here. Sure they’d like a word with those responsible for the packing of the batteries in big metal box likely to be exposed to increasing temperatures during its journey. Very lucky it was only one box involved in the conflagration.