General average has been declared by Hapag-Lloyd following the fire on its Yantian Express off Canada.

The 7,150-teu boxship (built 2002) suffered a deck blaze on 3 January. It was contained after a week and the crew was evacuated.

General average, declared when an extraordinary and severe event occurs that threatens the safety of a vessel and its cargo, allows costs to be shared by the owner and cargo interests.