Ocean Network Express (ONE), in collaboration with Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), has conducted a crisis management drill to protect against the threat of fire and explosions on seagoing vessels.
The scenario in this drill was based on a ONE container vessel, and involved approximately 65 employees from the company’s global headquarters in Singapore, its office in Tokyo, Japan, and NYK’s head office.
Mike Bradley discusses how shipping companies can protect against the threat of fires and explosions in a Port Technology technical paper
In order to make the drill realistic and practical, cooperation was required from members of various departments, who reviewed possible responses to a crisis and decided which emergency measures should be taken to manage the situation.
The scenario in question involved a fire breaking out inside a container already onboard a ship at the Tokyo Oi container terminal.
The APL Vancouver, a cargo ship built in 2013, was travelling from Shekou to Singapore when the fire began… #PTIDaily #Fire #Shippinghttps://t.co/lw9DppU06g
— Port Technology (PTI) (@PortTechnology) February 5, 2019
Despite the attempts of crew and firefighters to handle the problem, this fire triggered an explosion that led to a number of casualties, demanding an immediate response from ONE.
As part of the drill, ONE employees set up a “crisis management centre” and handled first response tasks such as establishing communications and gathering information.
ONE employees take part in the drill (Credit: Ocean Network Express)
Also required, in a situation that involves a serious explosion and several injuries, is cooperation with the relevant authorities to mitigate any further losses, as well the ship owner and the ship manager.
In addition to this, ONE demonstrated a readiness to inform its customers of the crisis by writing and publishing a press release on the progress of the situation.
Read more:
