Fire Erupts on Bulk Carrier Langeland at Gran Canaria Port

A fire broke out on the bulk carrier Langeland on December 9 while the vessel was docked at the Port of Arinaga in Gran Canaria, Spain.

The fire started at approximately 4:30 PM (WET) while the vessel was in the process of loading scrap metal. Reports suggest that the blaze began in the cargo hold, where scrap materials were being stored.

Emergency responders from the Gran Canaria Emergency Consortium arrived swiftly and worked to extinguish the fire. After an extended effort, firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by 6:00 PM (WET). Foam was applied to the bulk cargo to prevent any potential reignition.

Most of the crew were evacuated from the vessel as a safety measure. Additionally, a nearby ship was relocated to a safer berth, and port operations were temporarily halted as a precautionary step.

Eyewitnesses reported large plumes of smoke rising from the ship, which caused visibility issues for emergency personnel on site. Fortunately, no injuries or environmental pollution were reported.

According to local media, crew members attempted to close the vessel’s cargo hatches and activate its firefighting system. However, the fire appears to have damaged the hatch control system, leaving the hatches stuck in the open position.

An investigation into the cause and circumstances of the fire is now underway.

The Langeland is a recently built bulk carrier registered in Portugal. The vessel measures 89.9 meters in length, 15.5 meters in width, and has a gross tonnage of 3,960.