BEIJING - China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, one of the world’s busiest ports, reported an explosion on board a container ship on Aug 9, Chinese state media reported.

       No casualties were reported after the blast on the YM Mobility at about 1.40pm, according to state media.

       The explosion among containers near the bow of the Liberia-flagged vessel sent cargo scattering and left a plume of black smoke, footage from China Central Television (CCTV) showed.

       The ship, which is docked at the port's Beilun terminal, was transporting hazardous goods, the Ningbo Maritime Search and Rescue Centre said.

       While the crew of the ship and dockworkers were safe, some company offices located near the dock were hit by shockwaves from the blast, state-run Qilu Evening News reported.

       “Our windows were damaged, and the ceiling of our canteen collapsed a little,” an employee of a company located about 1km from the ship told Qilu Evening News.

       Taiwanese shipping firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp later said it was one of its cargo ships that caught fire on Aug 9.

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       Yang Ming Marine Transport said a fire occurred on board the YM Mobility while it was operating in the port. “At present, immediate fire-fighting measures have been taken at the scene, the fire has been brought under control, and all the ship’s personnel have been safely evacuated,” the company said in a statement.

       Yang Ming Marine Transport did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. REUTERS