Fire Erupts On MSC Container Vessel After Explosion In Neva Bay

February 11, 2026

An explosion followed by a fire disabled the MSC-operated container ship MSC Giada III while it was approaching St Petersburg in Russia’s Neva Bay on 4 February. Emergency services were deployed, and the vessel was later towed into port for inspection.

The explosion is believed to have started in the engine room before the fire spread to the deck superstructure and crew accommodation areas, based on vessel tracking information and regional emergency response activity. Firefighting teams reportedly worked for several hours before bringing the situation under control.

Emergency response vessels from the Port of St Petersburg were sent to assist, including the rescue vessel Spasatel Karev and the icebreaker Semyon Dezhnev. After the fire was extinguished, the ship was towed to St Petersburg, where it is expected to undergo technical checks and further assessment.

There were 22 crew members on board at the time of the incident. Initial reports indicated that no injuries were recorded and all crew were confirmed safe. Media reports stated that the vessel was commanded by a Russian master, with several crew members believed to be from Myanmar.

Authorities later confirmed that the vessel’s hull was not damaged and that no fuel leakage was detected, reducing the likelihood of environmental harm.

The Liberia-flagged feeder ship has a capacity of 2,732 TEU and was sailing from Antwerp, Belgium, to St Petersburg when the explosion occurred. The vessel is approximately 24 years old, has a deadweight of about 39,000 tonnes, and has been operated by MSC since 2022. It regularly operates on European, Baltic and Russian trade routes.