Browsed by
Tag: Tanker

Fulda

Fulda

Fulda
Photo: x.com

On the afternoon of July 6, the 148 meter long, 19477 dwt chemical tanker Fulda (IMO: 9185865) exploded if the Gulf of Kurch near the port of Kandla, Gujarat, India. The Fulda had completed a discharge of a cargo of methanol at the Oil Jetty No. 2 in the port in Kandla and proceeded to leave port bound for Port Sohar, Oman.  A few hours later  the Fulda would explode ripping up most of its top deck apart. Witnessed by the nearby 175.5 meter long, 31858 dwt bulk carrier Team Focus (IMO: 9424132), the Fulda sustained massive damage but was still afloat. The master of the tanker stated there was no underwater damage and none of the 384 tons of fuel had not been released into the water.

However, the Fulda may have suffered some water ingress to its ballast tanks as it developed a 22 degree list to starboard that shifted to port as the crew attempted to stabilize the vessel. The 21 crew on board the tanker were later evacuated by the 31.5 meter long tug Orchid Star (IMO: 9658850) which had been dispatched from Kandla.  No details were reported if any crew had been injured from the incident.

Indian authorities dispatched multiple vessels from the Coast Guard along with multiple tugs to monitor the Fulda. The Coast Guard has sent out alerts to keep all vessel traffic away from the tanker due to the potential of fire or pollution being released. Latest reports state the Fulda was taken under tow back to Kandla.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Initial reports suggest the explosion was due to the improper venting of flammable vapors during the discharge. There has been no reports if the Fulda was in the practice of using inert gassing or if it allowed an air-vapor mixture to to build up in the tanks like what occurred on the Sansinena explosion in 1976. That explosion was so massive that sections of the vessel sent burning rivets into the air into the surround area and lead to changes to regulations on how venting was done on tankers.

Yi Cheng 6

Yi Cheng 6

Yi Cheng 6
Photo: Indian Navy

On June 29, the 90 meter long, 3602 dwt tanker Yi Cheng 6 (IMO: 1067471) caught fire in the Gulf of Oman off India.  The Yi Cheng 6 was headed to Shinas, Oman from Kandla, India when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The fire quickly grew out of control resulting the main engine being damaged and a power blackout.  Unable to contain the blaze, the tanker sent out a distress call.

The Indian Navy responded with the frigate INS Tabar (MMSI: 419032700) arriving on site. The Navy deployed a response team which safely transferred the 9 crew off the Yi Cheng 6 while a firefighting team. Reports stated 5 crew and 13 navy personnel were able to contain the fire. No reports of injuries and no pollution was released.  No details released if the tanker will require a tow or if the crew will be able to make repairs and restore power.

Vilamoura

Vilamoura

Vilamoura

On June 27, the 274 meter long, 158622 dwt suezmax tanker Vilamoura (IMO: 9529293) suffered an explosion in the Mediterranean Sea some 90 nautical miles off Zueitina, Libya. The Vilamoura departed from Zueitina loaded with 1 million barrels of crude oil bound for Gibraltar when it suffered an engine room explosion. The explosion caused a hull breach resulting in water ingress.  The crew were unable to stop the ingress resulting in the engine room being completely flooded leaving the vessel adrift.  Fortunately, there were no injuries and no pollution released.

Reports states the Vilamoura was to be taken under tow and taken to a shipyard in Greece. The cause of the explosion was not disclosed, but some sources speculated the explosion could have been caused by a mine planted by saboteurs. Several prior vessels that had made voyages to Russia have exploded in the recent past. Some security firms believe it was caused by Ukrainian backed forces.