Explosion Aulac Fortune

On 8 January 2019, an explosion occurred on board the oil and chemical tanker AULAC FORTUNE while at anchor at South Lamma Dangerous Goods Anchorage in Hong Kong. The vessel was in ballast condition.

Following the explosion, a fire broke out on the main deck. This fire was extinguished quickly by The Hong Kong Fire Services Department. The vessel had taken a 28-degree list to starboard and was unstable.

Contract negotiation and salvage operation

The same day,  Marine Masters, were appointed as Salvage Consultant for the P&I Club to assist in the matter. A joint instruction from the H&M Underwriters was received two days later.

Shortly after the fire was extinguished, Mr Langsrud attended the site and saw through the contract negotiation and the salvage operation until the vessel was in a suitable condition to be towed.

The China-based salvage company Quest Marine Consultant was contracted to rectify the list and to stabilise the vessel. On 27th January, the Contractor had reduced the list to 3.5 degrees and prepared the vessel for towage to a nearby port in China for repairs.