Oil/Chem Tanker Fulda, en route from Kandla, India to Port Sohar, Oman, with 21 crew members on board, experienced a fire and explosion, off the Indian port of Kandla, at approximately 1305 hrs, IST, Jul 6. The blast, which occurred during gas-freeing operations, triggered the emergency evacuation of all 21 crew members and prompted an extensive response by Indian authorities.

As per media reports, the explosion was first reported at approximately 1305 hrs, IST by the nearby vessel Focus.

M/T Fulda had departed Kandla earlier that morning at 1100 hrs, IST, reportedly developed a 22-degree list to starboard, which later shifted to port as onboard response measures were initiated. By 1900 hrs, IST, the vessel’s master formally requested evacuation. All 21 crew members including 11 Chinese, two Bangladeshi, one Indonesian, and seven Myanmarese nationals, were safely evacuated by the tug Orchid Star, which had been dispatched from Kandla. Although the situation was initially reported as under control, deteriorating conditions and severe structural damage led the master to seek immediate assistance. Fulda was reportedly carrying 384.17 metric tons of fuel. While no oil pollution was confirmed, a full-scale pollution prevention effort was activated. Preliminary findings suggest the explosion was linked to improper handling of flammable vapors during gas-freeing operations, a hazardous yet routine procedure used to ventilate tanks of residual volatile gases before maintenance or loading the next cargo. Fulda had been carrying methanol, and inadequate flushing and purging may have allowed a flammable vapor-air mixture to accumulate. Experts suggest that static electricity, possibly caused by poor bonding or inadequately maintained equipment, may have ignited the mixture. Final conclusions are pending an official investigation. In response to the emergency, two tugs, the Indian Coast Guard vessel ICGS C-429, and the Pollution Control Vessel Samudra Pavak were deployed to the site. As of the latest update, two Indian Coast Guard interceptor boats remain on station, monitoring Fulda, which remains afloat with no reported water ingress. All surrounding vessels have been advised to maintain a safe distance due to potential fire or pollution hazards.