All 22 crew from the ro-ro container vessel the Jolly Rubino have been airlifted to Richards Bay after the ship caught fire 20 nautical miles off the Zululand port late on Tuedsday night.
Port authorities could still see smoke coming from the ship with binoculars from the port control offices at the harbour entrance this morning.
The 190m long vessel, owned by the Genoa-based Ignazio Messina SpA shipping line, was on her way from Durban to Mombassa when she caught fire.
The entire crew was rescued by the port helicopter which flew numerous trips to and from the stricken vessel.
Harbour master Captain Mike Brophy on Wednesday morning described the airlift as a "classic operation" and praised the flight crew of the Balmoral company aircraft.
The Jolly Rubino, registered in Naples, has been a regular caller to KwaZulu-Natal's shores between Durban and the Mediterranean.