A supertanker, the Sloug, formerly used for storage off Libya, is at the center of controversy after a fire erupted while it was being dismantled at a Turkish yard. The fire broke out on July 3 at the Simsekler yard in Aliaga, Izmir, prompting an evacuation of the vessel and surrounding areas, though no injuries were reported. Firefighters, equipped with land units and fireboats, worked to contain the blaze, which continued to burn overnight and may take days to fully control.
Originally built in Italy in 1973, the Sloug was decommissioned in 2017 after years of service, including a conversion to floating storage in 1989. Environmental concerns have surrounded the vessel, particularly regarding hazardous materials. Reports suggest it may contain up to 6,000 tons of chemical waste and residual oil, raising fears of dangerous vapors.
Despite inspections by Turkey’s Ministry of Environment, which claimed no significant hazardous materials were aboard, protests have erupted over the ship’s environmental impact. A union has called for an investigation into the dismantling process, demanding a halt to all work until safety is ensured.
