Fire Erupts on LPG Carriers Off Bangladesh, Crew rescued

A significant fire erupted on two LPG carriers during an alleged illegal ship-to-ship transfer off Bangladesh. The LPG carrier, Captain Nikolas, and a lighterage vessel, B-LPG Sophia, were involved in cargo transfer operations when the fire broke out early Sunday morning. Fortunately, all 31 crewmembers managed to escape the flames by jumping overboard and were safely rescued by authorities. The Captain Nikolas sustained minimal damage, while the Sophia was reported to have suffered significant damage.

The LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh raised concerns over the origin of the cargo onboard Captain Nikolas, claiming it was misdeclared and actually originated from Iran, a sanctioned supplier. Despite initial suspicions, an investigation by the Chittagong Port Authority found no evidence of illicit cargo, with documents indicating the LPG was loaded in Dubai or Oman. The incident prompted the establishment of a committee to determine the cause of the fire, with a rapid one-week timeline for completing the investigation.

Captain Nikolas, a 50,000 dwt LPG carrier built in 1992 and flagged in the Cook Islands, has a history of fire safety issues. The recent fire onboard the vessel marks the third major vessel fire off Bangladesh within a span of two weeks, following incidents involving the tankers Banglar Shourabh and Banglar Jyoti. The series of fires have raised concerns about safety protocols and regulations in the region, with authorities working to address and prevent such incidents in the future.

Source