25 dead in bulker blaze at Chinese shipyard

25 dead in bulker blaze at Chinese shipyard
Adis Ajdin September 11, 2026 https://splash247.com/25-dead-in-bulker-blaze-at-chinese-shipyard/

Twenty-five people have died after a fire broke out on a bulk carrier undergoing repairs at CSSC-controlled Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in eastern China on Thursday.

The fire started at around 11.15 am local time while the foreign-flagged vessel was being overhauled at the Qingdao yard. Chinese authorities said 42 people were onboard at the time. Twelve managed to get off safely while another five were taken to hospital, where their condition was described as stable.

The blaze was brought under control at around 2.30 pm. All 25 people who had been reported missing were subsequently found dead.

Images released from the scene identified the vessel as the Liberia-flagged Ocean Melody, a 2006-built, 55,742 dwt supramax.

Vessel databases list Huili Shipping as the registered owner and Shanghai-based Yuyangkunpeng Ship Management as its manager. The ship arrived in Qingdao from Taicang on August 31 and remained there for repairs.

The vessel has a familiar history to Splash readers. It is the former Strange Attractor, previously part of the Star Bulk Carriers fleet. Star Bulk agreed to sell the ship in early 2025 and delivered it to its new owners on April 24 that year, after which it was renamed Ocean Melody.

Chinese president Xi Jinping ordered authorities to investigate the cause of the fire and determine responsibility, while the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a team to Qingdao to assist with the response. The cause of the blaze has yet to be disclosed.

Qingdao Beihai is one of China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s major shipbuilding and repair facilities. The Haixi Bay yard handles newbuildings, conversions and repair work and operates dedicated repair docks capable of accommodating ships of up to 300,000 dwt.

Fresh details released by Chinese authorities show 56 fire engines and 354 rescue personnel were deployed to the scene.

China’s National Fire and Rescue Administration also convened an emergency meeting on Thursday night, ordering stepped-up inspections of fire risks in key industries. The agency specifically called for improved response procedures and more targeted training for fires aboard ships undergoing repairs or lying alongside, citing the potential for rapid fire spread, explosions and difficult firefighting conditions.