The cargo hold of a container ship burst into flames while it was docked for repairs at Jong Shyn Shipbuilding in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The incident, on a domestic vessel identified in local media as “Wan Long”, happened around 3.54 pm local time on 13 September. The inferno sent thick black smoke rising straight into the sky from the distressed vessel. Police and the firefighting department were informed and dispatched 18 vehicles and 41 personnel to extinguish the flames.
No one was hurt as its nine-man crew, who were all foreigners, had gone ashore just before the incident.
Jong Shyn issued a statement that evening, stating that the charterer of Wan Long had sent the ship to its premises for repairs and that the ship owner, Jiale Shipping Agency, will take care of all necessary repairs. The shipyard operator said it had nothing to do with the vessel repairs, adding that police are investigating the cause of the fire.
Jong Shyn assured that the fire affected a small section of its shipyard and will have no impact on its financial performance and operations.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
