Explosion and Fire Aboard Tanker Fulda Near Kandla Port

A major maritime emergency unfolded on Sunday near India’s Kandla Port when the Hong Kong-flagged product tanker Fulda experienced an explosion and onboard fire during gas-freeing procedures, prompting the evacuation of all 21 crew members. The ship was en route to Port Sohar in Oman when the incident occurred.

India’s Directorate General of Shipping confirmed the explosion was first reported at around 1:05 PM IST by a nearby vessel, Team Focus. The 26-year-old Fulda, which had departed Kandla at 11:00 AM the same day, began listing heavily—initially 22 degrees to starboard before shifting to port—as the crew attempted to stabilize the situation.

By 7:00 PM IST, the ship’s captain formally requested emergency evacuation. All 21 crew members—comprising 11 Chinese, 7 Myanmarese, 2 Bangladeshi, and 1 Indonesian national—were successfully rescued by the tug Orchid Star, which was dispatched from Kandla.

While initial reports indicated the situation was under control, worsening conditions and severe damage to the ship’s structure led the vessel’s master to call for urgent help. The tanker, with a deadweight of 19,477 tonnes and owned by Hong Kong’s Fulda Industrial, was carrying over 384 metric tons of fuel. No confirmed oil spill has been reported, though pollution prevention protocols have been activated as a precaution.

Early findings suggest the blast was likely caused by unsafe handling of flammable vapors during the gas-freeing process—a common but risky operation used to clear cargo tanks of residual gases before maintenance or new loading. The ship had previously carried methanol, and improper ventilation may have created a dangerous vapor-air mixture.

Experts have speculated that static discharge, possibly due to poor grounding or faulty equipment, may have ignited the fumes. A formal investigation is underway to determine the precise cause.

In response, Indian authorities mobilized multiple assets including two tugs, the Indian Coast Guard vessel ICGS C-429, and the Pollution Control Vessel Samudra Pavak. As of the latest update, two Coast Guard interceptor boats continue to monitor the situation. The Fulda remains afloat with no reported flooding, but nearby ships have been cautioned to keep clear due to ongoing fire and pollution risks.