Safety Flash
Explosion and fire on-board the chemical tanker Stolt Groenland
Explosion and fire on-board the chemical tanker Stolt Groenland
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 03/20
- ExplosionHazardous SubstancesProcess Safety
- ExplosionFireHazardous substancesLoss of containmentProcess safety
- Cargo transferFluid transfer
- Storage tanks
- Marine industry
- Port and quaysideVessel
Summary
This safety flash summarises preliminary MAIB findings on explosions and fire aboard Stolt Groenland during ship-to-ship styrene monomer transfer at Ulsan. Investigators considered deck rupture from over-pressurisation followed by vapour ignition the probable explosion mechanism. The incident caused extensive vessel damage and injuries to crew and firefighters.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Cargo transfer; cargo handling.
Classifications: Fluid transfer; fluid loading; fluid offloading.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Port and quayside; quayside; harbour; harbor.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Over-pressurisation during styrene monomer transfer preceded explosions and a major fire on a chemical tanker.
IMCA SF 03/20. Themes: explosion, hazardous substances, process safety.