Discover the Moritz-Schulte: Ratings & Maritime News

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its comprehensive report on the tragic fire incident that occurred aboard the ‘Moritz Schulte’ in the Port of Antwerp on August 4, 2020. The investigation revealed that the blaze ignited in the engine room as the vessel was discharging a load of ethylene. The fire originated from a new 3rd engineer's mishap while working on an auxiliary engine fuel filter, where crucial steps for isolating the fuel system were overlooked. This lapse resulted in high-pressure fuel spray impacting both the engineer and the hot exhaust of an adjacent auxiliary engine, leading to an ignition when the fuel spray penetrated the exhaust insulation. Although the crew swiftly sealed off the area to limit fire spread, one crew member succumbed to smoke inhalation nine days later. The investigation underscored systemic deficiencies within the training and oversight of the engineering staff onboard. It highlighted that despite the Moritz Schulte being equipped with robust safety protocols, the 3rd engineer, who had over five years' experience with the company, neglected to conduct a necessary job safely and at an appropriate time. Alarmingly, it was noted that no risk assessment was performed and direct supervision was absent during the incident. A review of the third engineer’s training log indicated a troubling shortfall, showing that only two of the required 65 rank-specific tasks had been completed with proper documentation prior to his promotion. The report criticized the training system’s failure, enabling management to sign off on training completion without adequate evidence, resulting in an untimely promotion for the engineer. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of thorough training and supervision in maritime operations.

On August 4, 2020, at 9:45 a.m., a significant fire erupted on the LPG tanker 'Moritz Schulte', which was docked at quay 383 of the Exxon Mobil Antwerp Refinery, located in the Industrial Dock area near the Esso refinery on Scheldelaan. The blaze ignited in the engine room, prompting immediate response efforts. The Esso company fire brigade was swiftly on the scene, supported by the Antwerp Fire Brigade. One individual suffered from smoke inhalation but was treated promptly. By 11:30 a.m., the fire was successfully extinguished and contained within the engine room. Firefighters remained at the location to ventilate the vessel and cool its hull, ensuring the safety of the area.