Fire on board Malta-flagged ship

The Merchant Shipping Directorate of the Malta Maritime Authority is investigating a fire that broke out on board the Malta-flagged ro-ro cargo vessel, mv Sea Trader, in the Belgian port of Antwerp on Friday evening.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the blaze, on the main deck of the 8,454gt vessel, was caused by the ignition of petrol that had leaked out from the cars being loaded on board, the authority said in a statement.

No one was injured in the accident and no pollution was caused. However, the vessel and its cargo were extensively damaged by the fire, which spread from the main deck to the superstructure before it was brought under control by firefighters stationed at the port.

Directorate inspectors are investigating the incident and are liaising with the Belgian authorities, who are conducting their own investigations.