China’s State Council has established an investigation team after a fire aboard Ocean Melody at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in Shandong Province left 25 people dead and five injured.
The accident occurred at around 11:15 a.m. on 10 September 2026 while the foreign-flagged cargo vessel was undergoing repairs at the shipyard.
The investigation is being led by the Ministry of Emergency Management, with representatives from central government bodies, the State Fire and Rescue Administration and the Shandong Provincial People’s Government participating in the team.
The team held its first plenary meeting on the afternoon of 14 September. Song Yuanming, vice minister of Emergency Management and head of the investigation team, chaired the meeting and set out arrangements for the investigation.
The investigation will examine the cause of the accident and determine responsibilities involving the company, industry regulators and local authorities. Accountability will be addressed in accordance with the law.
Authorities also called for inspections and corrective measures targeting fire hazards and illegal subcontracting. Hazard checks were requested across transportation, construction, hazardous chemicals, mining, industrial and trade operations, and special equipment.
The vessel involved was identified from images of the scene as Ocean Melody, a 55,000 dwt bulk carrier built in 2006. It measures 190.0 m in length and 32.3 m in width.
Ocean Melody is owned by Huili Shipping and sails under the Liberian flag.
AIS information cited in the source showed that Ocean Melody departed Taicang for Qingdao on 28 August. The vessel arrived at a berth at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding at 18:00 on 31 August before entering dry dock at around 16:10 on 9 September, a day before the fire.
