A potentially disastrous fire erupted aboard the cargo vessel CHANG MIN (IMO 9622801) on Friday, June 21, 2025, while docked at the ENL Terminal in Apapa Port, Lagos. The fire broke out at about 5:55 p.m. during cargo offloading operations, sending emergency crews scrambling into action in one of Nigeria’s busiest shipping hubs.
The blaze reportedly originated in the vessel’s second cargo hold, which contained highly flammable materials, including CNG-powered trucks, tyres, and wooden products. Authorities have confirmed that quick thinking and swift coordination among multiple emergency response teams prevented what could have escalated into a full-scale maritime disaster.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), told reporters that the situation was brought under control following a strategic effort to seal off the affected compartment, restrict oxygen inflow, and contain the fire. “All seafarers onboard were accounted for, and no injuries were sustained,” he confirmed.
The firefighting operation involved a coalition of agencies, including the LASEMA Response Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Nigerian Ports Authority Fire Unit, and the ENL Consortium Fire Division. The crews carefully re-entered the ship’s interior after an initial containment phase and successfully extinguished the flames without further damage to surrounding vessels or infrastructure.
Though the fire has been fully extinguished and recovery operations concluded, the cause of the incident remains unknown. Preliminary investigations revealed the fire ignited during the unloading process, but the specific source or trigger of ignition has not yet been identified.
The vessel, CHANG MIN, is a foreign-flagged cargo ship that has made regular stops at Nigerian ports. Port authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine whether cargo handling protocols or mechanical issues contributed to the blaze.
This incident raises renewed concerns about safety standards, hazardous cargo handling, and emergency readiness within Nigeria’s port operations. Stakeholders are calling for stricter enforcement of maritime fire safety regulations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
