An ancient Indonesian bulk carrier caught fire yesterday morning, the latest accident involving fertilizer.
The 1976-built, 11,196 dwt urea carrier Otong Kosasih owned by a local fertilizer company was docked at the firm’s own pier in Palembang on the Musi river, when a fire started, thought to be from a short circuit on the second floor of the accommodation block. The ship was carrying 7.3 tons of fertilizer when the fire broke out. Huge plumes of dark smoke quickly engulfed the vessel.
All 32 crewmembers escaped unharmed. Five fire trucks and two nearby vessels put the fire out after two hours.
