Discover the Fulda: Ratings & Maritime News

In a fortunate turn of events, all 21 crew members aboard the product tanker 'Fulda' have safely returned to the port of Kandla after a significant explosion tore through a large section of the vessel's forward deck. The incident occurred shortly after the tanker successfully offloaded its cargo of methanol at the Deendayal terminal and was making its way towards Oman on the morning of July 6. Preliminary investigations by the Directorate General revealed that the tanker was engaged in gas-freeing operations to ventilate its tanks following the discharge. Authorities are currently probing the possibility of improper management of flammable vapors, including potential issues with flushing and purging processes in the tanks, which may have contributed to the build-up of a flammable vapor-air mixture. Remarkably, the 'Fulda' was laden with over 384 metric tons of fuel during the incident, yet pollution control vessels monitored the area and reported no signs of fuel leakage into the surrounding waters. For further details and images from the scene, visit: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/product-tanker-ripped-apart-by-explosion-off-coast-of-india.

On July 6, 2025, the tanker 'Fulda', which was en route to Oman, experienced a significant explosion positioned at 22° 48' N 070° 04' E soon after completing a methanol discharge at Oil Jetty No. 2, Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat. The explosion was first detected by the nearby vessel, 'Team Focus', prompting immediate action from both the Coast Guard and Deendayal Port Authority at approximately 1:05 p.m. IST. Thankfully, there were no reports of fire or smoke. However, the vessel began to list heavily to its starboard side, succumbing to extensive damage caused by the explosion. Initially, the 'Fulda' registered a 22-degree list to starboard, which later shifted to port as the crew undertook stabilization measures. By 7 p.m. IST, the vessel's master made the decision to evacuate all 21 crew members. This included 11 Chinese, two Bangladeshi, one Indonesian, and seven Myanmarese nationals. The evacuation was successfully carried out by the tug 'Orchid Star', dispatched from Kandla. Although the situation was initially thought to be under control, the severity of the damage prompted further assistance requests to ensure crew safety. At the time of the incident, the 'Fulda' was transporting 384.17 metric tons of fuel. While there have been no confirmed reports of oil pollution, authorities quickly activated a comprehensive pollution prevention response. Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion might be attributed to the improper handling of flammable vapours during gas-freeing operations. This incident likely arose from inadequate flushing and purging procedures, allowing a dangerous vapour-air mixture to accumulate. In response to the emergency, two tugs, alongside the Indian Coast Guard vessel 'ICGS C-429' and the pollution control vessel 'Samudra Pavak', were deployed to monitor the situation. Additionally, two interceptor boats from the Indian Coast Guard are stationed nearby, keeping a vigilant watch over the 'Fulda', which remains afloat with no reported water ingress. All vessels in the surrounding vicinity have been advised to maintain a safe distance due to potential risks of fire or pollution. For more detailed coverage, including images and video, visit: [Connect Gujarat](https://connectgujarat.com/gujarat/tanker-bound-for-oman-reports-explosion-off-gujarat-coast-all-21-crew-evacuated-9469903) and [Splash 247](https://splash247.com/tanker-explodes-off-indian-port/).

In a notable transaction within the maritime industry, a vessel has been acquired for a significant sum of $6.8 million by buyers based in China. This sale highlights the increasing interest and investment from Chinese entities in the global shipping market, further emphasizing the ongoing trends in maritime commerce.