A Pacific International Lines (PIL) multipurpose vessel has suffered a fire while alongside at Napier Port in New Zealand.
The incident aboard the 25,000-dwt Kota Bahagia (built 2011) occurred early on Friday but was largely brought under control by early afternoon.
New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said early reports suggest the fire originated in one of the holds of the ship.
The Singapore-registered vessel was reported to be carrying general cargo, machinery and components when the fire broke out.
An inquiry into the causes and circumstances of the fire on board the ship has been started by TAIC, which said it had appointed two investigators to lead the inquiry.
“The Investigation team have expert knowledge of marine operations, engineering, maintenance and electronic forensics,” said Harald Hendel, TAIC’s chief investigator of accidents.
“Their initial work will include interviewing witnesses and inspecting affected parts and cargo of the ship when safe to do so.”
A spokeswoman for the local district health board said the ship’s crew had all been taken off the ship. There were no reports of any injuries.
“All of the appropriate Covid-19 precautionary measures are in place, with the crew isolated from anyone else and in PPE,” she said.
She added that the risk of any of the crew having Covid-19 was low as the ship had been at sea for 17 days and had come directly from China.
However, as a precautionary measure she said all the crew members would be tested for Covid-19 this afternoon.
Fire crews were continuing to cool down the ship on Friday evening and were said to be working with the ship’s captain and engineer.
All operations at the port were originally halted due to the fire, but limited bulk cargo operations resumed by mid-afternoon on Friday.
All container operations including container receival and delivery were closed for Friday but would reopen on Saturday morning.
