The Floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel MT Federal II at the PT ASL shipyard in Indonesia has caused multiple casualties, following another fire nearly five months ago that killed four people.
Local police chief Zaenal Arifin told AFP that around 4:30 a.m. local time on October 15, a fire broke out aboard the MT Federal II at PT ASL Shipyard in Batam, Indonesia. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Reports indicate that the vessel had been undergoing maintenance and conversion at PT ASL Shipyard for several months. The fire originated from a storage area onboard, with witnesses reporting thick smoke billowing across the Batam industrial zone before being extinguished approximately one hour later.
The fire killed 10 people, most of whom died from smoke inhalation, while another 21 individuals were injured. All casualties were crew members working onboard at the time of the fire, with some sustaining serious injuries.
Local police stated that the “Federal II” was flying the Indonesian flag and was not carrying any oil cargo at the time of the incident, adding that the vessel had been emptied of fuel prior to undergoing repairs.
It is worth noting that this is the second fire accident that occurred on the “Federal II” at the PT ASL shipyard within 4 months. The ship has become a “nightmare ship” for the PT ASL shipyard. The two accidents resulted in the deaths of 14 shipyard workers.
The first fire occurred in June of this year, ultimately resulting in four deaths and nine injuries. An investigation determined that the initial fire was caused by sparks from a cutting operation that ignited residual gas in the oil tank, which had not been completely purged. This resulted in a violent explosion and subsequent widespread fire. Local police have listed two health and safety personnel from the shipyard as suspects in the June incident.
The vessel database indicates that the Federal II was converted from an Aframax tanker, delivered in 1990 with a deadweight tonnage of 95,759 tons. The vessel is owned by PT Eastern Jason of Indonesia and fully managed by International Andromeda Shipping of Monaco.
Public records indicate that PT ASL Shipyard was established in July 1992. Its primary business activities include shipbuilding, as well as maintenance and conversion projects for oil tankers and other ocean-going vessels.