A Hoegh Autoliners car carrier has suffered a fire and an explosion while alongside at a port in the US.

The incident onboard the 4,900-ceu Hoegh Xiamen (built 2010) took place at Blount Island in Jacksonville, Florida.

Hoegh Autoliners confirmed that at about 1600 local time a fire broke out on the vessel's seventh deck shortly after it completed loading operations.