AsiaContainers

KMTC boxship struck by chemical blaze sent for demo

Korea Maritime Transport Co (KMTC) has sold a 21-year-old feeder ship for scrap that was involved in a spectacular fire while calling at Laem Chabang port in Thailand on May 25.

Best Oasis is understood to have paid $425 per ldt for the fire ravaged 1,585 teu KMTC Hongkong, in a deal that also comes with 390 tonnes of bunkers.

The fire, resulting from non-declared highly flammable toxic chemicals including calcium hypochlorite carried by the ship, led to noxious smoke and acidic ash raining down on nearby villages. Over 200 people were hospitalised due to contact with toxic substances from the blaze.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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