On the morning of January 11, a fire broke out on the 225 meter long, 75399 dwt bulk carrier Avax (IMO: 928312) in the Irish Sea while berthed at Ringaskiddy, Ireland. Reports state the fire started by a fault with a piece of cargo handling equipment. The local fire brigades from Carrigaline and Crosshaven were able to contain the blaze. No reports of injuries. No details to extent of damage to the cargo or to the bulk carrier. The Avax had arrived at Ringaskiddy from Liverpool on January 6.
On the evening of January 8, the 93 meter long, 4864 dwt service vessel Bram Force (IMO: 9788409) caught fire in the South Atlantic offshore near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Bram Force was operating in the Campos Basin near the P-37 platform when a fire broke out in the engine room. Unable to extinguish the blaze, the crew of the Bram Force were safely evacuated by a nearby Maersk vessel. Authorities dispatched multiple tugs to No reports of injuries.
Brazilian authorities stated that it took nearly 12 hours for the fire to be extinguished. The Bram Force was taken under tow and proceeded to Port of Açu where it will be inspected and repaired. Authorities have stated they launched an investigation into the incident.
On January 4, the 190 meter long, 53514 dwt bulk carrier Panoria (IMO: 9480930) caught fire in South China Sea some 23 miles off Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan. The Panoria was headed to Nantong from Singapore when a fire broke out in the engine room. The crew after some effort were able to extinguish the blaze, but not after the main engine sustained damage. The cargo vessel lost power and and went adrift. Three crew suffered burns from the incident and one crew member was seriously injured and required medical treatment.
Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard
The Taiwan Coast Guard received a distress call from the Panoria and dispatched five vessels and a helicopter to assist. The helicopter arrived a few hours later and was able to safely evacuated all four injured crew. The helicopter took the injured crew to Kaohsiung where they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard
Photo: Taiwan Airborne Services Corps
Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard
Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard
A tug was requested to take the Panoria under tow to Kaohsiung. The Coast Guard stated it would monitor the situation. No reports of pollution released.
