The fire aboard the cargo ship Almirante Storni, which sails under the Liberian flag, started on Saturday and was still not under control by Sunday evening, according to authorities. The MSB reported that the ship itself was not burning, but the fire was difficult to extinguish and could continue for several days. A Coast Guard spokesperson said in a press conference that the fire had not spread but work could continue for several days. The vessel contains large amounts of fuel, and MSB has started preparations to support in case of a potential leak, raising environmental concerns for the surrounding waters.
The MSB sent two helicopters to fight the ship fire, and several other authorities and organisations, including the Coast Guard, were also involved in the response. The crew of 17 people had not been evacuated from the ship, according to the TT news agency. The vessel is named Almirante Storni and sails under the Liberian flag, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. The cargo consists of timber, which may be contributing to the fire's persistence. The MSB has been monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with the Coast Guard to ensure a comprehensive response. The helicopters have been conducting water drops to try to control the flames, but the fire's location and the ship's structure have made access difficult. The Coast Guard has also deployed vessels to assist and to prepare for potential containment of any fuel leak. The crew remains on board to assist with firefighting efforts and to maintain the ship's systems, according to the Swedish Maritime Administration.
Meanwhile, on land, a container fire at a Willys store in Eskilstuna was extinguished by the rescue service on Sunday evening. The rescue service was alerted to the fire at 20:23, according to multiple reports. The cause of that fire is not yet known. Separately, there is a fire in a container in Bingeby outside Visby, according to multiple reports. The cause of that fire is also unknown, and it is unclear whether the two container fires are connected. The Eskilstuna fire was contained to a single container and did not spread to the store or other nearby structures, according to the rescue service. In Bingeby, the fire is also in a container, and the rescue service is on scene working to extinguish it. No injuries have been reported in either incident.
The causes of the cargo ship fire and the container fires remain unknown. Authorities are investigating, but no conclusions have been announced. The extent of damage to the cargo ship and its cargo has not been determined. The MSB and Coast Guard continue to monitor the situation off Gothenburg, and updates are expected as the operation progresses.