Port Kembla, Australia reopens after bulk ship blaze
(Posted on 18/06/18)
A fire in the hold of a CSL bulker closed Port Kembla for eight hours on Monday.
Located on the east coast of New South Wales, historically Port Kembla has serviced the needs of regional industries, predominantly coal (export) and steel (import of raw materials and steel products). In more recent years the port has diversified its trade base to include general and break bulk cargoes, containers and motor vehicle imports. It is also the principal grain export port for producers in Southern and South-Western NSW.
The port was shut soon after the fire began before dawn on the MV Iron Chieftain, as self-unloading bulk carrier built in 1993, as it unloaded dolomite, a mineral used in steelmaking which was destined for BlueScope Steel Ltd’s nearby blast furnace.
The Sidney Morning Herald has reported that 100 firefighters battled the blaze that broke out in the ship’s hold just after 3am. The newspaper reported that Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Norm Buckley said it was a challenging job. “We’re going to be there for a long time,” Inspector Buckley said. No injuries were reported.
“Shipping recommenced and the port reopened at 1130 (0130 GMT) and is expected to be back on schedule by around 1700,” Harbour master Kell Dillon said.
A massive emergency drill took place in Port Kembla last month that saw Port Authority of NSW lead a full-scale multi-agency operation to protect the port from a simulated oil spill and fire.
BlueScope Steel beleive that the blaze would have no impact on its steelmaking and none of its port equipment was damaged.
The port, also the state’s largest vehicle import gateway, counts among its customers nearby coal mines run by BHP spinoff South32, which said its exports were unaffected.
The ship’s owner, CSL Australia, said damage to the vessel was not immediately clear. At the time of the fire, eight vessels at anchor in the port, mostly bulk carriers and roll-on, roll-off vehicle ships.
Latest News
Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows
(Posted on 16/07/26)In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a... Read more
PD Ports announce Paul Foreman as new CEO
(Posted on 16/07/26)PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port and logistics businesses, announced today that Paul Foreman... Read more
New San Diego bulk sugar import facility to use only electric trucks
(Posted on 03/07/26)The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised... Read more
Expanded partnership through bulk infrastructure development at Khalifa Port
(Posted on 30/06/26)AD Ports Group, an Abu Dhabi based, leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more
Port of Hamburg strengthens partnership with China
(Posted on 29/06/26)The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement... Read more
Contract awarded for Pilbara Ports Zone 5 Bypass Channel
(Posted on 29/06/26)The Cook Labor Government in Australia has welcomed the award of a dredging contract to Jan De Nul ... Read more
Netherlands Parliamentary rules out Maasvlakte II as location for new nuclear power plants
(Posted on 29/06/26)A parliamentary letter in the Netherlands on the selection of a site for the construction of two new... Read more
SSAB’s port operations in Raahe develop safety together with ESL Shipping
(Posted on 25/06/26)The long-term safety cooperation between ESL Shipping and the port of SSAB’s Raahe site is visible... Read more
Liverpool sees 200% rise in fertiliser imports interest amid ongoing uncertainty
(Posted on 22/06/26)The Port of Liverpool is experiencing a surge in demand from fertiliser importers as continued uncertainty... Read more
PD Ports strengthens Teesport bulk handling with £5.4m crane investment
(Posted on 18/06/26)PD Ports has further strengthened its bulk handling capability at Teesport with the arrival of... Read more
