IOC chartered fully laden VLCC catches fire off Sri Lanka

Singapore — A fully laden super tanker carrying at least 260,000 mt crude for Indian Oil Corp., or IOC, caught fire off the Sri Lankan coast, prompting the entire crew to abandon the ship, a top Sri Lanka port official said Sept. 3.

The engine room of the ship caught fire around 38 nautical miles from Sri Lanka's coastline but no oil spill has been detected so far, the official told S&P Global Platts over phone.

The official did not provide the name of the VLCC, but market sources tracking the developments said it is the 20-year old New Diamond, controlled by Greece-based New Shipping, and moving on the Mina al Ahmadi-Paradip route.

New Shipping and IOC executives could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Sri Lankan navy, the country's Marine Pollution Prevention Authority, and Marine Search and Rescue officials were coordinating rescue operations and efforts to douse the fire, the official said.

Around 19 crew members abandoned the ship but one was missing and at least one badly injured, he said.

Two ships belonging to the Sri Lankan Navy have been marshaled to undertake the rescue operations, said a source with a private shipping agency.

Until an hour ago, the captain of the ship was still onboard, the Sri Lankan port official said.