Norwegian Chemical Tanker Catches Fire Off Fredrikstad

A fire aboard a Norwegian chemical tanker anchored off Fredrikstad was extinguished on July 28 after prompting a large emergency response involving Norwegian and Swedish rescue services.

All 15 crew members were safely accounted for, with no injuries, pollution or cargo release reported, authorities and the ship’s manager said.

The incident occurred aboard the 9,500-deadweight-tonne chemical tanker Bergstraum, which was anchored outside Fredrikstad on Norway’s southeast coast.

Norway’s volunteer sea rescue organisation, Redningsselskapet, said reports of an explosion followed by a fire prompted a multi-agency response.

Utkilen AS, the Bergen-based manager of the vessel, said the fire has been extinguished and the situation is stable.

“On 28 July 2026, M/T Bergstraum experienced a small fire onboard which is now extinguished. There have been no reported personal injuries,” the company said in a statement.

The company said its immediate priorities are “the safety of all personnel onboard, the protection of the vessel and surrounding environment, and ensuring that all required response measures are taken in close coordination with the authorities.”

Foto: RS «Ragnar Stoud Platou»/Redningsselskapet. Mannskapet på redningsskøyta opplyser at to politibåter, en brannbåt, en RIB fra Kystvakten og tre svenske redningsbåter er/har vært til stede ved tankbåten og at redningshelikopter nylig ankom. pic.twitter.com/ru9eUsX1OZ

— Redningsselskapet (@NSSR) July 28, 2026

The cause of the fire has not been determined. Utkilen said the relevant authorities have been notified and that it will carry out an internal investigation before providing further updates.

According to Redningsselskapet, rescue vessel RS Ragnar Stoud Platou was among the first to arrive at the scene, while RS Stormbull transported firefighters from shore to the tanker.

The response also included two police boats, a fireboat, a Norwegian Coast Guard rigid inflatable boat (RIB), three Swedish rescue boats and a rescue helicopter from Norway’s 330 Squadron, which hoisted firefighters onto the vessel.

The fire was brought under control and authorities confirmed that all 15 crew members were safe. No pollution or cargo release has been reported.

“Good preparedness and close cooperation across emergency services and land borders is important when something serious happens at sea,” Redningsselskapet said.

Utkilen said its onboard crew and shore-based emergency team continue to work with Norwegian authorities to fully stabilise the situation.

The Bergstraum was built in 1996 and is a double-hulled chemical tanker with a deadweight of 9,500 tonnes.

It is registered in the Norwegian International Ship Register, classed by DNV, and is commercially and technically managed by Utkilen AS.

The vessel is owned by the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Utkilen Shipping AS. The tanker had 15 Baltic and Filipino seafarers on board at the time of the incident.

References: shippingtelegraph, maritimebriefs