Logistics

Malaysia Star Anchors After Fire in Malacca Strait

Malaysia Star Anchors After Fire in Malacca Strait

Sedat Onat
Malaysia Star Anchors After Fire in Malacca Strait

A fire that broke out in the Malacca Strait on December 2, 2024, prompted the car carrier Malaysia Star to drop anchor at port. The incident occurred in the early morning hours when flames erupted near the fuel tank of the vessel, which was en route from Port Klang to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, and could not be brought under control. The fire forced the crew to evacuate hastily, with 19 personnel abandoning the vessel.


The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) responded swiftly following the discovery of the incident. Mohammad Zaini Zainal, regional director of the MMEA's Batu Pahat sector, reported that two maritime patrol boats and a maritime police vessel were dispatched to the scene. The fire occurred aboard the Malaysia Star, a vessel built in 1992 with a capacity of 1,466 CEU (car equivalent unit).


The Malaysia Star is owned by Malaysia-based Harbour-Link Group and has been operating under a nine-year lease agreement with Japan-based Eastern Car Liner since 2019, transporting used vehicles within Asia. The 19 crew members aboard the vessel at the time of the incident—18 Filipinos and one Malaysian—were evacuated to safety due to the fire. All personnel were rescued without injury.


Mohammad Zaini Zainal stated in his remarks: "All victims were safely transferred to MMEA maritime patrol boats without sustaining any injuries and were subsequently brought to Batu Pahat Maritime Region Jetty." Zainal also noted that no oil spill had been reported so far and added that MMEA authorities were continuously monitoring the situation while advising the maritime community to remain vigilant regarding safety and to be prepared for unexpected incidents at sea.


Bringing the fire under control took more than a day due to the widespread flames in the vicinity of the fuel tank. Following the incident, the Malaysia Star anchored at port for the complete extinguishing of the fire and assessment of damage to the vessel. The MMEA emphasized that maritime safety and fire prevention measures must be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.


MMEA officials, emphasizing the critical importance of such maritime transport accidents for marine safety and crew protection, stated that all stakeholders in the maritime sector must comply with safety standards. They also noted that investigations following the fire would provide valuable insights for preventing similar accidents.


Following the incident, Malaysia Star's owner, Harbour-Link Group, announced that it would take necessary steps to compensate for the damage caused by the fire. Company officials stated that ensuring crew safety was their top priority and that they were working to resume the vessel's operations as quickly as possible.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency expressed that they are prepared for all types of maritime emergencies and have increased their rapid response capacity, reaffirming their commitment to continuous efforts in ensuring safety within the maritime sector.


Key Points:

  • Incident Date: December 2, 2024

  • Vessel Name: Malaysia Star

  • Incident Location: Malacca Strait

  • Vessel Owner: Harbour-Link Group

  • Vessel Capacity: 1,466 CEU

  • Crew: 19 personnel (18 Filipino, 1 Malaysian)

  • Response: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) dispatched two maritime patrol boats and one maritime police vessel.

  • Cause of Fire: Flames in the vicinity of the fuel tank

  • Outcome: Vessel anchored at port, crew evacuated safely, no oil spill reported.

  • Vessel Operation: Transport of used vehicles within Asia, nine-year lease agreement with Eastern Car Liner

  • MMEA Advisory: Continuous call to the maritime community for safety and preparedness


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News Link: https://container-news.com/car-carrier-moored-in-malacca-strait-after-fire-incident/


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