A South Korean pure car and truck carrier caught fire while on its way to Vietnam.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport stated that the 1999-built 6,000-car unit Ah Shin, owned by South Korean company Doriko, was about 150 nautical miles off Vung Tau when the fire broke out on 4 February.
Ah Shin was acquired second-hand by Doriko in May 2021, according to shipping databases.
The ship departed Incheon, South Korea, on 28 January, carrying 4,350 new and used cars from South Korea to Singapore, and was manned by 21 Russian seafarers.
As soon as the fire alert was received, the vessel traffic information system relayed messages to ships near Ah Shin, requesting them to provide assistance.
The transport ministry said that the crew succeeded in bringing the fire under control by 5 February. However, Ah Shin had listed 5 degrees to its starboard and was moved to an anchorage in Vung Tau, with the crew remaining on board.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
