The cargo ship KOTA BAHAGIA suffered a fire following multiple explosions on December 18, 2020. At the time, the vessel was berthed at Napier, New Zealand. The ship had recently arrived from China, on the day before the incident. It is unclear what caused the explosions on board. It is unclear if any crew member sustained burns or injuries during the incident. The vessel is a general cargo ship built in 2011. The vessel is operated by Singapore’s Pacific International Lines, and its registered owner is PSI 2 Pte Ltd.
Safe maritime companies must perform regular maintenance and inspections in order to ensure the safety of their crew members. When ship operators fail to conduct regular maintenance and inspection of the equipment on their vessels, dangerous fires and explosions can result. This not only puts the lives of hardworking seaman at risk, but can also endanger members of the public. Safe transport companies must take into account all cargo that is on board to ensure that risks of a fire are not increased by the method of storage or transport.
Our experienced lawyers handle maritime personal injury and wrongful death litigation of all kinds and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured as a result of the negligence of another party. The lawyers of Spagnoletti Law Firm have handled maritime lawsuits throughout the country. Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime injury and death cases involving vessel fires and explosions.
The experienced and aggressive maritime attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of this tragic accident. There are strict and short time limits on making claims related to vessel accidents, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your rights.