In a statement Palumbo Group said a cherrypicker being used to inspect an empty hold on board the 172,515-dwtCape Tavor (built 1999) caught fire but insisted the capewas not damaged.

The company noted there were no injuries andclaims the repair project will not be delayed since the situation was undercontrol after only “a couple of hours”.

Palumbo acknowledged that there was a greatdeal of smoke at the site of the incident, which it attributed the burning ofthe cherry picker’s heavy rubber tires.

The