A Chinese seafarer has been killed in a reported "gas explosion" on a capesize bulker off Indonesia.

The Merdeka website said the 188,000-dwt Cape India (built 2014) was heading from China to Australia when the accident occurred.

The vessel was diverted to Balikpapan on Monday, but crewman HE Fengzhi, 26, died on the way to hospital.

The ship is operated by U-Ming of Taiwan.