Flames Ignite Amidst Dismantling of Disputed Supertanker in Turkey

A recent publication by Radyo Trafik İzmir 102.5 highlights a significant incident involving the decommissioned supertanker Sloug, which caught fire while being dismantled at the Simsekler shipbreaking yard in Aliağa Port, İzmir, Turkey on July 3, 2025.

The blaze erupted around 11:00 AM, triggering an urgent response from local firefighters and six fireboats. Thick plumes of black smoke filled the air, leading to the evacuation of personnel from both the vessel and nearby areas. Thankfully,there were no reported injuries.

Firefighting crews worked diligently throughout the night to control the flames. Efforts to cool down the ship are ongoing as authorities remain vigilant about potential explosions due to trapped gases or leftover chemicals onboard.

Firefighters opted against aerial suppression methods out of concern that it could ignite any volatile substances within the ship.

Originally built in Italy in 1973 and measuring 349 meters long, this tanker served as a commercial vessel for over a decade before being repurposed into a floating storage unit off Libya’s coast in 1989. it continued operating under its new name FSO Sloug until its decommissioning in 2017 when it became structurally compromised.

In December 2021, a Turkish maritime firm salvaged Sloug after it drifted away from Libya’s shores for $1.1 million but later discovered that it had been moved to Egypt using allegedly forged documents during payment negotiations. This relocation sparked environmental protests due to concerns over toxic materials aboard; activists pressured authorities not to allow its stay in Egyptian waters.

On February 16,2023,Turkish company Şimşekler acquired Sloug and received docking permission just days later at Aliağa Ship Recycling Zone where it has remained since then.

Controversy has surrounded this vessel since arriving in Turkey; environmental advocates claim it was used for hazardous chemical waste storage while docked off Libya and assert that up to 6,000 tons of waste may still be onboard—a claim denied by recycling officials who maintain that it was not utilized as an oil storage unit.

Documents from previous owners suggested unvented tanks could lead to hazardous vapor accumulation with estimates indicating around 50 tons of residual oil might still linger inside.

Turkey’s Ministry of Environment confirmed inspections took place following parliamentary inquiries but stated no significant hazardous materials were found beyond what is typical for such vessels.

Photos emerging from the dismantling site reveal that while parts of Sloug’s forward section have been removed exposing large openings on deck—the stern remains largely intact—complicating firefighting efforts due to fears surrounding explosive vapors and leftover substances necessitating safety protocols keeping crews at bay during operations.

In light of these events, union representatives have called for an investigation into how dismantling work commenced earlier this year after assurances were made regarding cleaning procedures prior. Thay demand all operations halt until safety can be assured for workers and surrounding communities alike.

Additionally,legal actions are underway by towing companies seeking unpaid fees with cases currently under review by İzmir’s courts alongside criminal complaints filed with local prosecutors regarding these matters—all underscoring ongoing tensions between environmental safety concerns and industrial practices within Turkey’s maritime sector.