Yesterday morning, the chemical tanker Harbour Krystal suffered an explosion and subsequent fire while sailing northbound off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal. One crewmember is still missing and a search effort is currently underway by Portuguese authorities.
Nordic Tankers, operators of the vessel, report that the vessel is carrying a cargo of light virgin naptha and was bound for Amsterdam at the time of the incident. In an update on 7 March, a Nordic Tankers’ spokesperson notes “All cargo and bunker tanks remain intact and undamaged and there has been no pollution. The vessel is in a stable condition.”
A later update on 7 March said that the vessel has now entered and anchored in the port of Setubal, Portugal, where a full assessment will be conducted.
MT Harbour Krystal is a 2006 built double hulled tanker of 11,262 dwt.