"Currently, PIS is focusing on searching for the ship's crew and thoroughly investigating the cause of the incident," PIS's corporate secretary, Muh. Aryomekka Firdaus, said in a statement issued here on Monday.
Two crew members died, and one went missing after the fire broke out on the oil tanker, which was carrying fuel to terminals in Bali and Mataram on Sunday (March 26, 2023).
MT Kristin is owned by PT Hanlyn Jaya Mandiri. It was chartered by PT PIS to carry fuel to the Integrated Terminal Ampenan in Mataram and the Fuel Terminal Sanggaran in Bali.
The chartered vessel had 17 crew members on board and was carrying 5,900 kilolitres of fuel when the fire broke out at 2:50 p.m. local time on Sunday.
"PT PIS, as the ship tenant in the rental agreement, has required the ship owner to prioritize the HSSE (health, safety, security, and environmental) aspects regarding the safety of the ship's crews and cargo," Firdaus said.
PIS will ensure that the ship owners bear full responsibility for all risks and incidents that impact the safety of the crew and cargo, in accordance with the agreed terms.
Firdaus said that no oil spill was detected at the scene as the fire started in the front portion of the vessel and did not affect its oil tank. PIS has prepared a 300-meter oil boom to anticipate possible oil spills.
He said the vessel has been towed from the scene to the nearest port. The company is ready to work jointly with the authorities in the investigation, he added.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is still searching for one missing crew member.
Related news: Police help handle tanker fire incident in Ampenan waters
Related news: Navy moves to prevent environmental damage after oil tanker sinks
Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Sri Haryati
Editor: Anton Santoso
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