Aliaga, Turkey – July 6, 2025 — A fire on a tanker undergoing dismantling at a Turkish ship recycling yard has reignited public concern over enforcing environmental and safety regulations in the shipbreaking industry. The vessel, known as Sloug, caught fire on July 3 at the Simsekler yard in the Aliaga region, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
🔥 Fire on Scrapyard Prompts Evacuation
The fire on the scrapyard broke out around 11:00 a.m., sending thick black smoke into the air. Emergency services, including six fireboats and land-based units, were deployed to contain the blaze and cool the hull of the partially dismantled supertanker. Due to fears of explosions, aerial firefighting was not permitted. The fire continued to burn overnight, with authorities warning it could take days to extinguish fully.
No injuries were reported, but the incident led to the evacuation of the vessel and the surrounding areas of the yard. The stern of the 349-meter-long ship remains largely intact, while the forward section has already been removed.
⚓ A Controversial Vessel
Built in 1973 in Italy, the Sloug was a commercial tanker before being converted into a floating storage and offloading (FSO) unit off Libya in 1989. After years of service, it was decommissioned in 2017. Environmental groups have long raised concerns about the vessel’s structural integrity and potential contamination.
After being acquired by Turkish interests for dismantling, the Sloug’s journey to Turkey was marked by controversy. It was first turned away from Egypt following environmental protests and finally arrived in Turkey in February 2023, where it again faced opposition.
Activists claimed the ship contained up to 6,000 tons of chemical waste. Recyclers denied these claims, but documents from the former owner warned of unvented tanks and dangerous vapors. An estimated 50 tons of residual oil were believed to remain onboard.
🏛️ Government and Labor Response
Turkey’s Ministry of Environment stated that inspections found no significant quantities of hazardous materials. However, the fire on the tanker has cast doubt on those findings.
A union representing shipyard workers has demanded an immediate halt to all dismantling activities and called for a full investigation. They claim dismantling was allowed only after the vessel was “supposedly cleaned out.”
🌍 Environmental Oversight Under Scrutiny
Photos from the scene show the vessel’s midsection exposed, with large portions already dismantled. The fire has highlighted the risks posed by residual materials and vapors, complicating firefighting efforts and raising fears of explosions.
As the fire continues to smolder, environmentalists and labor groups are renewing calls for stricter oversight of ship recycling operations and greater transparency in the handling of decommissioned vessels. The incident has intensified scrutiny of how shipbreaking regulations are implemented and enforced in Turkey’s growing maritime recycling sector.
The Maritime Hub News Network
