The Cayman Islands has asked the UK’s Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) to lead an investigation into the explosion onboard the 43,000-dwt chemical tanker Stolt Groenland (built 2009) at the port of Ulsan last week.
The Cayman Islands, which registered the Stolt Tankers' vessel, can call on the expertise of the MAIB as it is a part of the Red Ensign group of ship registers which is led by the UK flag.
The chemical tanker industry will be keen to uncover the cause of the accident because it has had a relatively clean safety record recently following a spate of accidents in the mid 2000s.
Stolt has already clarified that there were no tank cleaning operations taking place on the Stolt Groenland prior to the explosion.
“There were no cargo or tank cleaning operations underway at the time of the incident, the exact cause of which is yet unknown,” it said in a statement.
Tank cleaning has been associated with two previous catastrophic explosions onboard chemical tankers of a similar size to the Stolt Groenland. Those incidents prompted revision of safety operating practices onboard chemical tankers.
The two incidents, both in 2004, were the 40,000-dwt Bow Mariner (built 1982), an accident which claimed 27 crew lives, and the 37,000-dwt NCC Mekka.
Around that period between 2005 and 2012, according to a paper submitted to the IMO by Oil Companies International Marine Forum, there were 83 fires and explosions on chemical tankers under 20,000 dwt, claiming 21 seafarer’s lives. A further 53 incidents in the sub-8,000-dwt category claimed 15 lives.
At the time of the explosion the Stolt Groenland was carrying a cargo of styrene monomer which is flammable if it overheats.
The MAIB is regarded as one of the most competent maritime investigation organisations but it may take some time to reach its conclusions because of a heavy workload.
Under current IMO guidelines it should complete a full accident report within 12 months. However the small Southampton based investigation unit currently has 30 accident investigations underway.
Stolt said this week that it is prioritising safeguarding the vessel and removing fuel and cargo.
The vessel is also being secured in preparation for a typhoon which is expected in the region within a week.
