SMIT Salvage has been awarded a LOF 2000 Scopic contract to provide emergency assistance to the Gaz Poem. The
tanker was partly loaded with 20,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas when she ran into difficulties in Chinese waters. Fire broke out in the engine room of the stricken vessel at around 02.00 LT Saturday, 23 November, and soon after spread to the accommodation area. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
In responding to the emergency, a Salvage team has been mobilised from both Singapore and Rotterdam. Furthermore, and in co-operation with our Chinese partners Guangzhou Salvage Company, the powerful tug De Yue has been mobilised and is currently on scene. The De Yue has a total horsepower of 20,800 at her command.
All 34 crewmembers have evacuated the stricken vessel and no injuries have been reported. Prior to evacuation, the crew was able to anchor the vessel.
The Gaz Poem is a Panamanian flagged vessel with a deadweight tonnage of 49,092. She measures 229.30 meters in length and 32.24 meters in width and has been in operation since 1977.