Explosion and Fire Strike Chemical Tanker Bergstraum Off Norway; No Injuries Reported

An explosion and fire broke out in an empty tank aboard the chemical tanker Bergstraum while the vessel was anchored off Skjærhalden, near the entrance to Norway’s Oslo Fjord, on 28 July. The tanker was carrying sulfuric acid and had 15 Baltic and Filipino crew members aboard. All personnel were accounted for, with no injuries or hazardous substance leaks reported. Norwegian and Swedish emergency services responded to the incident, while firefighters were deployed aboard the vessel. The fire was brought under control and later extinguished, after which Bergstraum was cleared to proceed to Fredrikstad. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and the vessel’s owner, Utkilen Shipping, has launched an internal investigation.