The shine of the chemical-tanker industry's safety record has been badly tarnished by a series of tragic accidents.
Five incidents involving violent explosions on chemical tankers over the last 12 months have claimed 28 seafarer's lives.
That is the sort of fatality ratio usually seen in bulker and general cargoship accidents.
Pictures of the carnage caused by the most recent explosion on the 17,500-dwt Vicuna (built 1983) indicate vividly how horrific and destructive these accidents can be.
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