Singapore’s ASL Marine Group reported on October 26 that a fire broke out at one of its shipyards in Batam, Indonesia, killing 13 workers and injuring 18.
The incident occurred at 4:20 a.m. on October 15 (Indonesia time) when the floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO) “MT Federal II” suddenly exploded and caught fire at PT ASL Shipyard in Batam City, Indonesia.
For several months, the MT Federal II has been undergoing maintenance and retrofitting at PT ASL Shipyard. The fire broke out in the vessel’s storage area, with witnesses reporting thick smoke billowing across the Batam industrial zone. It was extinguished approximately one hour later. All operations involving this tanker have been suspended.
Local police stated that the MT 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.
The MT Federal II was converted from an Aframax tanker and delivered in 1990 with a deadweight of 95,759 tons. The vessel is owned by PT Eastern Jason of Indonesia and fully managed by International Andromeda Shipping of Monaco.
ASL Marine stated that it is currently providing necessary assistance to the affected victims and their families, and is cooperating with government authorities in investigating the cause of the incident.
Months before this tragedy, on June 24, another fire occurred aboard the MT Federal II at a different Batam shipyard also owned by ASL Marine, resulting in the deaths of four workers and injuries to five others. This marks the second fire incident on the Federal II within four months. The two accidents have claimed the lives of 17 shipyard workers and injured 23 others, earning the vessel the grim distinction of being dubbed the “nightmare vessel” of PT ASL’s facilities.
The group stated that all deceased and injured employees were subcontractor personnel working for ASL Marine.
Public records indicate that PT ASL Shipyard was established in July 1992. Its primary business activities include shipbuilding, as well as maintenance and modification projects for oil tankers and other ocean-going vessels.