Oil spill fears off Thailand as explosion kills one on FSO Benchamas
March 17, 2023

Thai authorities ordered their navy to assist in preventing an oil leak from a damaged floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel carrying 400,000 barrels of crude in the Gulf of Thailand.

The 1999-built Benchamas 2, owned by Malaysian shipping line MISC and operated by a unit of Chevron, suffered water ingress following an explosion during routine maintenance.

One crew member has been confirmed dead, while the remaining 28 are said to be safe and the ship is stable. The Royal Thai Navy said that the crude oil heating system is not working due to a lack of power, raising the potential for an oil leak.

The 104,500 dwt FSO, with a storage capacity of 650,000 barrels, has been in operation at the Benchamas field in Block B8/32 in the Gulf of Thailand since 2018. It sits about 207 km off Sattahip in Chon Buri province.
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Cambodia News, Thailand: The Thai government has requested that the Cambodian Navy join the operation to rescue the FSO Bechamas 2 tanker, which is owned by the California-based Chevron Group. Earlier this week an explosion occured in the engine room during routine maintenance of the ship while in the Gulf of Thailand. One sailor was killed in the blast and 28 others are still on board.

Thai government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the FSO Bechamas 2 tanker is taking on water, and the Thai navy is working hard to prevent further oil pollution, as the ship carries 400,000 barrels of crude oil.