The blaze was reported around 7 p.m. local time as the vessel, berthed at Piers 29/30 near the Mekkanica Navale shipyard, issued a Mayday call via radio requesting immediate assistance from the Port Authority and emergency services. According to initial reports, the fire originated on the lower decks or possibly in the engine room. Thick plumes of smoke rose visibly across parts of the city, accompanied by a strong, acrid odor detectable in the port area.

Emergency response was swift and all crew members and external contractors working aboard were successfully evacuated with no injuries or casualties reported.

As of Thursday morning, firefighting operations were ongoing, with the cause of the fire and the extent of damage still under investigation. A full assessment will follow once the vessel is secured and cooled. No further updates on service disruptions have been announced. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

GNV PHOENIX, built in 2003 and formerly known as the ATHARA under the Moby Group, joined GNV in April 2026. The 214-metre GNV PHOENIX was slated to enter service soon under charter to Adria Ferries on the Bari-Durrës route, operating as the AF PHOENIX.  

© Shippax