Asia-Pacific

Ships collision results in oil spill in Singapore Strait

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-25 13:50

SINGAPORE - A Malaysian-registered tanker and a St Vincents and The Grenadines-registered bulk carrier collided on Tuesday morning, resulting in an oil spill, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a statement.

The statement said that it received a report at about 6:10 am local time on Tuesday that that a Malaysian-registered tanker, MT Bunga Kelana 3 and a St Vincents and The Grenadines-registered bulk carrier, MV Waily had collided in the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait. The incident location is about 13 km southeast of Changi East.

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There was no report of injury to crew members. However, MT Bunga Kelana 3 suffered damage to one of its cargo tanks, resulting in an oil spill. The Master of MT Bunga Kelana 3 estimated that 2,000 tonnes of crude oil could have spilled into the sea.

Both vessels are currently anchored in the Singapore Strait. MV Waily is currently about 11 km southeast of Changi East and MT Bunga Kelana 3 is about 7 km south of Changi East.

MPA's Port Operations Control Center has issued navigational broadcasts to ships transiting the TSS to keep clear of the anchored vessels. Traffic in the TSS remains unaffected.

Upon notification, MPA immediately dispatched four patrol and emergency response craft to the affected area. MPA also activated oil spill response companies which have deployed three craft equipped with oil spill equipment. Work is ongoing to contain and clean up the oil spill.