SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – A tragic accident has led to the halt of all work at Hanwha Ocean’s Okpo yard on Geoje Island after a fatal explosion. The incident, which took place on January 12th, resulted in one fatality and a temporary closure of the yard pending further investigation by government officials.
Local media reported that the explosion occurred in one of the yard’s fabrication shops during the afternoon on Friday, where a rudder was being fabricated. A 28-year-old subcontractor was tragically killed in the blast, and the victim’s name and nationality have not been made public.
Hanwha Ocean, the third-largest marine and offshore contractor in South Korea, has expressed its commitment to identifying the exact cause of the accident and implementing measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The company has also acknowledged that there may be disruptions in its production as a result of the ongoing investigation.
The Okpo yard is described as a state-of-the-art facility spanning over 4.9 million square meters and includes 38 automated plant facilities. As with other similar companies, Hanwha Ocean has been increasingly reliant on subcontractors and foreign workers in order to remain competitive in the industry.
The company’s current order book includes an important project – the P-79 floating production, storage and offloading vessel for Petrobras, as well as over 100 vessels for various clients. The resumption of production at the facility will be contingent on receiving an order from the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
It remains to be seen how Hanwha Ocean will overcome the impact of this tragic event and ensure the safety of its workers in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers faced in the marine and offshore industry, prompting a critical examination of safety measures and protocols within the sector.