"STRATFORD" Declares General Average After Fire
Publish Time: 2025-08-22 Origin: Site
Latest Update: The container vessel "STRATFORD", which caught fire on July 28 near China’s Nansha Yongshu Reef while en route from China to India, has officially declared General Average (GA).
GA Adjuster Appointed: Groninger Welker Janssen (Netherlands-based).
Vessel Details: 8,533 TEU capacity, chartered by OOCL, serving the China India Express route (calls: Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Xiamen, Shekou).
Carriers Involved: CMA CGM, COSCO, OOCL, ZIM, PIL, CNC, GSL (multiple co-loading lines).
What is General Average?
⚖️ Legal Principle: When a vessel faces a common maritime peril (e.g., fire, grounding), losses/costs incurred to save the voyage are shared proportionally by all cargo owners.
Immediate Impact:
Cargo cannot be released until owners submit:
GA Guarantee (from insurer or bond).
Cash deposit (based on cargo value).
Delays expected for all shipments aboard.
Action Steps for Shippers/Freight Forwarders:
✅ Check if your cargo was on "STRATFORD" (via Bill of Lading tracking).
✅ Contact your insurer to arrange GA guarantee/deposit.
✅ Monitor emails from carriers (e.g., OOCL, Gold Star Line) for GA documents.
✅ Prepare for delays – Claims processing may take months.
Background:
Fire Incident: Occurred 190 NW of Yongshu Reef, carrying Chinese exports to India.
Route: Part of the China India Express (CIX), a key Asia-India service.