Bunga Alpinia 
- Name
- Bunga Alpinia
- Accident date
- 26/07/2012
- Location
- Malaysia
- Accident area
- Labuan Port, Victoria Bay
- Spill area
- Port/harbour
- Cause of spill
- Fire
- Product transported
- 6 tonnes of methanol, heavy fuel oil (IFO 380)
- Nature of pollutant
- heavy fuel oil (IFO 380)
- Ship / structure type
- Chemical tanker
- Built date
- 2010
- Length
- 180 m
- Width
- 32 m
- Draught
- 7.6 m
- Flag
- Malaysian
The incident
On the 26th July 2012, the Bunga Alpina was in dock at Labuan Port, Malaysia when a fire broke out during loading of a 6-tonne cargo of methanol. Three violent explosions followed onboard which led to the deaths of five crew members.
Response at sea
Booms were rapidly deployed around the tanker to contain the spill. Dispersant spraying was tested but was found to be inefficient due to the viscosity of the pollutant (heavy fuel oil). A slick drifted into Victoria Bay and reached the shoreline.
Response on land
To preserve fisheries activity, affected quays were decontaminated. Houses and pleasure craft were cleaned by local inhabitants. High pressure cleaning was recommended in areas where manual cleaning was not possible. The mangrove swamp was not heavily contaminated so the decision was made not to take any action in these sensitive areas.
See also
Cedre Newsletter, 2012, N° 36
External links
GI Workshop, Jakarta, mars 2013, Assesment of Risk of Oil Spills from Shipping in South East Asia by Richard H. Johnson, ITOPF, page 14
MISC - compagnie maritime, Press releases
Clyde&Co - expertise maritime, Incident reports
Marine traffic, Informations on the vessel