3 Dead in Confined-Space Incident on VLEC “PACIFIC INEOS MIO”: Official Investigation Flags Nitrogen Inerting and Permit-to-Work Failures

and commissioning at Jiangnan Shipyard, resulted in three worker fatalities due to asphyxiation when nitrogen entered a cargo hold through a partially open isolation valve. The official report cites multiple safety lapses, including the absence of a confined space entry permit, lack of ventilation and oxygen testing, and insufficient supervision. Accountability measures include criminal referral for two individuals, disciplinary action for management, and administrative penalties for the shipyard and its leadership. The vessel was being constructed for Shandong Marine Energy and is intended to serve INEOS in global ethane transportation.