Chemical Tanker Bergstraum Catches Fire off Norway with Sulfuric Acid Cargo

A tanker carrying sulfuric acid caught fire off the southern Norwegian coast on Tuesday after an explosion broke out aboard. The Bergstraum, a 9,494-tonne Norwegian tanker, was moving through waters near Fredrikstad, south of the Oslo Fjord entrance, when the blast and fire started around half past three in the afternoon.

Volunteer rescue units from the Redningsselskapet, two police patrol teams, a fireboat, and the Coast Guard all headed to the scene. Swedish rescue crews joined the response. The crew had already started attacking the flames with foam before help arrived, and they brought the fire under control before evening.

Norwegian maritime authorities reported no injuries among the crew. Officials also confirmed there was no leak from the acid cargo, a real danger given what sulfuric acid can do to surrounding waters if it escapes the tanks.