INTERASIA CATALYST

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Fire finally put out

After the 'Interasia Catalyst' was ordered back to Port Klang, smoke had been detected from several containers on the deck of the vessel. The Selangor Fire & Rescue Department put out fires in six of the 11 containers as of April 11. The teams then concentrated on two containers carrying raw materials for yarn and one carrying plastic resin. Four tugs have been deployed to help cool some boxes carrying sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate. The firefighters were working in tight spaces between containers. On April 13 the fire has been successfully extinguished. The Malaysian Marine Office, Port Klang officials, LPK, and the surveyor appointed by the shipowner conducted an onboard assessment to ensure the condition of the vessel and its cargo. Measures have also been taken to prevent pollution.

Firefighters battle blaze for the 4th day

On April 11, the fire aboard the 'Interasia Catalyst' was still going on.Over 50 personnel, including those from the Fire and Rescue Department, Marine Police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Royal Malaysian Navy’s elite Paskal unit, were involved. Some of the containers are holding wooden furniture, yarn and plastics, among others. However, three containers cannot be opened as the consignment include sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (used to fight algal and fungal pests), a dangerous material. These containers are still being cooled. The fire affecting five containers has been put out, while efforts are ongoing to put out fires in three more. The firefighters will be opening six more containers adjacent to the affected ones to determine if they have been affected. The 'Nautica Tg. Puteri 25' remained on scene. Report with photos: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/04/11/firemen-battle-blaze-on-container-ship-for-4th-day/

Fire in container cargo

At least 11 container stacked on the deck of the 'Interasia Catalyst' caught fire in the Andaman Sea early on April 5, 2021. The ship was en route from Port Klang, where she had sailed on April 4 at 1a.m., headed to Cochin. It turned back and headed for Port Klang in the afternoon of the same day. It arrived in Port Klang on April 7 at 7 a.m. and was advised to drop anchor at Pintu Gedong in pos. 02° 48.79' N 101° 16.45' E in a safe distance to other ships. Four tugs initially were deployed for firefighting. They were cooling the deck to give the Fire Department time to formulate a strategy to extinguish the fire. Spraying was being carried by two tug boats at one time whilst the other two were prepared and waiting to take over. 17 members of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department team as well as the Westport and Northport Fire Department have been deployed. The fire area involved about eight containers on deck with a height of four containers. Firefighters managed to open the doords of several containers to put out the fire inside. Nearby standing boxes were cooled continuously. On the whole 35 boxed were affected, the extent of damages was yet unknown. On April 10 the tugs 'Kst Success' and 'Nautica Tg. Puteri 2' were in vicinity of the ship. Cranes and rescue boats will assist too on April 11. Report with photos: https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2021/04/693309/kontena-terbakar-kapal-berpatah-balik