Paradip, Nov 30: A cargo vessel caught fire late Saturday night at Paradip Port in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district while thermal coal was being loaded onto the bulk carrier Eco Colonel Monorvia.

The blaze broke out at around 12:55 am during the loading process via a conveyor belt at a berth, said sources.

Port authorities swiftly initiated emergency protocols, relocating the vessel to another berth to safely unload the remaining coal and prevent the flames from spreading. The ship was moved to the CQ-2 berth, where fire service personnel immediately began cooling operations, spraying water over the heated coal. The fire was successfully extinguished by 2:10 am, sources said.

According to port officials, thermal coal often retains high temperatures and must be watered during loading to avoid accidental ignition. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have erupted because the coal was not watered during the late-night loading operations.

An investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the incident. Authorities are currently assessing the extent of damage and reviewing safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.