The Korean government has lifted the ban on construction of the five liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering’s (DSME) Okpo yard, imposed earlier this month following another fatality at the yard.
The decision was announced by the regional unit of the ministry of employment and labour, according to the Yonhap news agency.
The ban was imposed as the government wanted to pressure the yard to improve safety of its workers so as to avoid fatal incidents during work on these complex ships.
However, no information has been provided on whether any safety measures were implemented at DSME to boost safety.
The latest incident that occurred at DSME’s Okpo yard killed one worker and injured another seven.
As informed, the man suffocated from poisonous gas that gushed from the fire that started in a tank of an LPG carrier under construction at the yard.
At least three people have died and dozens were injured in at least four incidents this year that involved fires and tank explosions during work on LPG carriers at the yard.
The government has already tried to warn DSME with an order of a week-long work suspension following the incident in August .
BW Group, Dorian LPG and Shandong Shipping have LPG carriers on order at DSME.
World Maritime News Staff