Wellard Group fire-damaged livestock ship heads for Singapore

The flagship of WA-based livestock exporter Wellard Group’s fleet, Ocean Drover, was towed from Fremantle to Singapore for repairs to its bridge and accommodation areas in November after it was damaged by a fire while berthed in Fremantle.

Wellard’s purpose-built livestock carrier, which can carry 75,000 sheep or 18,000 cattle, was preparing to take on board 6000 cattle when the fire started at about 8am on October 9 and extinguished late that night. Two of the ship’s 50 crew were hospitalised, including one for treatment to burns.

Repairs to the Wellard ship are expected to take 10 weeks, and will be combined with vessel upgrades and other scheduled maintenance.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the fire.

Wellard Group website: Wellard.com.au