Bangladesh authorities have rescued the crew of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker that burst into flames during a ship-to-ship transfer on Sunday.
However, the incident has highlighted the safety risks and dubious operational standards of vessels that are transporting sanctioned oil and gas across the globe.
In the dramatic scene off the coast, two tankers caught alight during the cargo transshipment operation, triggering an emergency rescue operation by the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard. No injuries were reported.
The two vessels involved were the Captain Nikolas, a 78 500-cbm Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) that was built in 1992, and Sophia, a 6 500-cbm fully pressurized gas carrier built in 1997. Ownership of both vessels has reportedly changed hands several times in recent years and they have operated under various flags of convenience to avoid international scrutiny.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, the fire was sparked as the vessels separated after completing a lightering (discharging cargo) operation. Senior crew members on the vessels told local authorities that they had seen the fire start during this process.
The crew on the Captain Nikolas managed to bring the fire under control before it caused serious damage to the ship but all 18 crew members of the B-LPG Sophia, as well as mooring gangs and security officers, were forced to abandon ship, the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s Eastern Zone confirmed. A nearby tugboat rescued them.
According to local authorities, the fire aboard the B-LPG Sophia has now been extinguished and the vessel has been taken to anchorage for an inspection.
