No serious injuries have been reported after an LPG carrier suffered an explosion before loading gas at a terminal in Brazil.
The 7,204-cbm Forte de Sao Marcos (built 2003) was rocked by the blast on 9 September during de-gassing procedures at the port of Aratu de Candeias, according to the Brazilian navy.
A subsequent fire was quickly brought under control by crew members and no traces of water pollution were found, the navy added.
A naval inspection vessel was sent to the scene as an investigation began into the incident.
The vessel has protection and indemnity cover with Britannia P&I.
Terminal company Codeba said the incident involved a single blast as tanks were de-gassed.
Spanish shipowner Grupo Elcano said there was no risk of a new explosion.
No significant damage
The company added the incident occurred before the vessel began loading operations.
No significant material damage occurred, Grupo Elcano added.
Video footage appeared to show white smoke above the vessel, but the shipowner said the images actually showed the fire safety system spraying water to contain the fire.
One resident was reported by the Globo daily as saying that the loud bang shook houses and caused a fireball to rise, along with black smoke.
TV Bahia quoted the superintendent of the local Civil Defence force, Abdoral Junior, as saying that one crew member suffered bruising to his arm after slipping and falling while trying to get off the ship.
The vessel has no port state control inspections listed on the Equasis website.
