A Hong Kong-flagged tanker, the Fulda, experienced a fire and explosion on July 6 while en route from Kandla, Gujarat, to Port Sohar in Oman. The incident occurred shortly after the vessel completed a methanol discharge and began gas-freeing operations. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated following the explosion, which was first reported around 1:05 PM local time by a nearby ship.
After the blast, the Fulda began listing heavily, prompting the captain to request immediate evacuation by 7:00 PM. The crew, comprising 11 Chinese, 7 Myanmarese, 2 Bangladeshi, and 1 Indonesian, were rescued by a tugboat dispatched from Kandla. The tanker was carrying approximately 384 metric tons of fuel at the time of the incident.
While there are no confirmed reports of an oil spill, authorities have initiated pollution control measures as a precaution. Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion may have resulted from a buildup of flammable vapors and a potential static discharge, given the tanker’s previous cargo of methanol. Currently, the vessel remains afloat, but nearby ships have been advised to keep their distance due to fire and pollution hazards.
