A tragic fire broke out aboard the floating storage and offloading (FSO) tanker Federal II at PT ASL Shipyard in Batam’s Batuaji area, claiming the lives of four workers and leaving five others injured, according to Indonesian authorities.

The blaze erupted at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time while shipyard personnel were carrying out maintenance inside the vessel’s oil storage tanks. Nine workers, all Indonesian nationals, were involved in the operation when the fire spread rapidly.

Emergency response teams, supported by the shipyard’s internal safety unit, battled the flames for several hours before the fire was brought under control. Due to restricted access within the yard, firefighting and evacuation were conducted primarily by on-site crews, with police providing security and facilitating the transport of victims.

Authorities confirmed the identities of the deceased as Gunawan, Berkat Setiawan Gulo, Hermansyah Putra, and Januarius. The five survivors—Alatas Silaban, Upik Hidayat, Amel Rivensky Nababan, Benny Silaban, and Rezki Harianto Butarbutar—suffered severe burn injuries and are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals, including Graha Hermine and Mutiara Aini.

The Federal II, an Aframax-class tanker built in 1990 and later converted into an FSO unit, is owned by Indonesia-based PT Eastern Jason and managed by Monaco’s International Andromeda Shipping. At the time of the incident, the vessel was undergoing repair and maintenance works.

An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire. Authorities and maritime experts emphasize that the tragedy underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols, particularly during high-risk shipyard activities involving confined spaces and flammable residues.

PHOTO COURTESY: X/Adis Ajdin