Fire and Explosion on board MT Banglar Jyoti

The explosion originated from the fore peak store located at the front of the MT Banglar Jyoti.

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation’s (BSC) oil tanker MT Banglar Jyoti caught fire after a severe explosion on September 30th, 2024, which was caused by gas accumulation in the fore peak store (used for storing ropes, anchors, and spare parts).

This information emerged from an investigation report by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) regarding the fire incident at Dolphin Jetty of Chittagong Port that occurred at 11am on Monday which killed three people.

The investigation report made four key recommendations.

Led by Sharif Hasanat, Managing Director of Eastern Refinery Limited, the seven-member committee concluded that the explosion originated from the fore peak store located at the front of the MT Banglar Jyoti.

The report indicated that the large amount of gas accumulated in that store could lead to such a severe explosion, which significantly damaged the front part of the ship.

Prior to the incident, approximately 800 tons of crude oil had been discharged from the ship, which still holds a cargo of 10,916.846 metric tons that needs about 22 hours for safe unloading. Once the cargo is unloaded, the ship will be moved for renovation.

The report also noted that the mother vessel “Omara Legacy,” carrying approximately 98,383 tons of crude oil imported from Abu Dhabi, arrived at the outer anchorage of Kutubdia on September 17.

Crude oil unloading began from the ship on Monday morning. After discharging around 800 tons, the explosion and subsequent fire occurred.

The explosion took place while deck cadet Sourav Kumar Saha, BSC foreman Nurul Islam, and worker Md Harun were performing routine tasks, due to the presence of excessive flammable gas in the fore peak store, resulting in their deaths.

BSC sources mentioned that representatives from the Explosives Department will inspect the ship to ensure safety for unloading the remaining cargo. The cargo unloading operations will commence if once deemed safe and if the ship’s machinery is found intact.

Both MT Banglar Jyoti and MT Banglar Sourav were built in 1987 and have an approximate lifespan of 37 years. Given the lack of alternatives for such vessels domestically, both ships have been maintained through proper repairs and maintenance.

Additionally, the investigation committee recommended establishing a technical committee to determine the actual cause of the accident, assess damage, and evaluate the suitability of the existing lighter vessels.

The use of MT Banglar Jyoti and MT Banglar Sourav for crude oil lightering operations is deemed risky, necessitating the immediate implementation of a Single Point Mooring (SPM) with a double pipeline for discharging imported crude oil. If a contractor for operation and maintenance (O&M) can be appointed swiftly, safe unloading of crude oil will be possible.

Until the O&M contractor is appointed for conducting fuel oil unloading operations through the SPM, BSC may be consulted regarding the operational feasibility of MT Banglar Jyoti and potential alternatives.

Modernization of fire suppression systems at the jetties is also recommended. The ship, “Banglar Jyoti”, is owned by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) and is an oil tanker. It was anchored at the Dolphin Jetty near the Eastern Refinery in Patenga.

The vessel transports oil from large tankers anchored in the sea to the jetty, from where it is supplied to the Eastern Refinery. Officials were unable to immediately confirm whether or how much oil was onboard during the incident.

---

Courtesy: Dhaka Tribune Accumulation of gas behind fire at MT Jyoti