Fire broke out after two tankers collided in Singapore waters today (19 July). The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that at 6.15am local time, distress calls were received from the crew on the Hafnia Mile, a 2017-built 74,189 dwt products tanker and the Ceres I, a 2001-built very large crude carrier.
At the time, the tankers were 55 nautical miles northeast of Pedra Branca on Singapore’s easternmost point.
The Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile is owned by BW Group and operated by its subsidiary Hafnia Pools. S&P Global’s vessel-tracking data shows that Hafnia Nile had just been bunkered in Singapore after arriving from Huelva, Spain, on 18 July. Hafnia Nile was heading for Kashima, Japan, when fire broke out.
The Sao Tome & Principe-flagged Ceres I had departed Zhoushan, China, on 8 June, arriving in Johor, Malaysia, on 15 June. Thereafter, Ceres I had been shuttling between Johor and Singapore and appeared to be stationary at the time of the collision. It is not clear who the owner of Ceres I is, although S&P Global data shows it is registered to the Hong Kong-incorporated Ceres Shipping Ltd.
Ceres I is shown in the database as being operated and managed by China-based Shanghai Prosperity Ship Management. However, information about the tanker’s classification society and P&I club could not be obtained. Vessel-tracking data indicates that Ceres I may have loaded Iranian crude oil between March and April this year. Container News’ attempts to reach the company were unsuccessful.
While Singapore authorities have yet to confirm that a collision happened, BW’s spokesperson told Container News that Hafnia Nile was involved with a collision with Ceres I in the South China Sea in approximate position 01 43 4N, 104 40 5E.
The spokesperson said, “Our team is actively coordinating with the Singapore Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) with Singapore authorities deploying a helicopter and navy vessel to provide assistance. Additionally, we have mobilised our appointed salvor to support the ongoing response efforts.”
He added that all 22 seafarers on Hafnia Nile were rescued and their family have been informed and are being regularly updated on the situation. Two of the seafarers have suffered minor injuries while the remaining 20 crewmen are understood to be in good condition.
Republic of Singapore Airforce (RSAF) said on its Facebook page that the naval vessel RSS Supreme, which was in the vicinity of the incident, responded promptly to MPA’s request, and its helicopter, evacuated two crewmen from Ceres I to Singapore General Hospital.
RSS Supreme picked up 16 crew from Hafnia Nile. Six crew who were in Hafnia Nile’s liferaft were picked up by a Malaysian government vessel and transferred to RSS Supreme.
RSS Supreme is en route back to Singapore with all 22 crew from Hafnia Nile. All Hafnia Nile crew are receiving medical attention on board RSS Supreme.
There has been no word as to whether any oil spillage occurred from the collision.
BW Group’s spokesperson said, “Our primary focus at this time is the well-being of our crew members, as well as addressing any potential environmental impact resulting from this incident.”
A Singapore-flagged tug, Dolphin 1, which was in the vicinity of the incident, picked up 14 crew from Ceres I, including the two who were helicoptered by RSAF.. The remaining 26 Ceres I crew are currently conducting fire-fighting operations onboard.
MPA said, “Salvage and fire-fighting assets have been arranged by both vessel owners to support the fire-fighting efforts and subsequent towage of the vessels to safety. Navigational traffic is not affected.”
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
