On Sunday afternoon, a serious maritime incident occurred near Kandla Port, India, involving the Hong Kong-flagged product tanker Fulda. The vessel, en route to Sohar Port in Oman, experienced a fire and explosion during gas freeing operations.

The explosion reportedly took place while the crew was carrying out gas clearing procedures, prompting the immediate evacuation of all 21 crew members onboard.

According to India’s Directorate General of Shipping, the explosion was first reported by a nearby vessel named Team Focus.

The Fulda had departed Kandla at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time. It was initially reported to be listing 22 degrees to starboard and later shifted to a portside list after onboard adjustments were made.

By 7:00 p.m., the vessel’s captain officially requested evacuation. All 21 crew members—including 11 Chinese nationals, 2 Bangladeshis, 1 Indonesian, and 7 Myanmar nationals—were safely rescued by the tug Orchid Star, dispatched from Kandla.

While initial reports suggested the situation was under control, evolving conditions and significant structural concerns led the captain to request urgent assistance.

The 19,477 DWT vessel is owned by Fulda Industrial of Hong Kong and was carrying 384.17 metric tons of fuel at the time of the incident. Although no oil pollution has been confirmed, precautionary anti-pollution measures have been initiated.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion was linked to improper handling of flammable gases during gas freeing operations—a routine but hazardous procedure used to ventilate residual volatile gases from cargo tanks prior to maintenance or reloading. Fulda was previously carrying methanol, and inadequate cleaning may have led to the accumulation of a flammable vapor-air mixture.

Experts have pointed to the potential for static discharge, possibly due to improper grounding or poorly maintained equipment, as a likely ignition source. An official investigation is ongoing.

In response, the Indian Coast Guard deployed the interceptor vessel ICGS C-429 and the pollution control ship Samudra Pavak to the site. As of the latest update, both vessels continue to monitor the Fulda, which remains afloat with no reports of water ingress.

Due to the potential risks of fire or pollution, nearby vessels have been advised to maintain a safe distance from the Fulda.

The Fulda (IMO 9185865, MMSI 477742200) is a chemical/oil products tanker built in 1999 and currently sailing under the flag of Hong Kong, China.