Asia/Pacific News
Freighter Carrying 560 Metric Tonnes of Bunkers Sinks in Singapore Strait
Antigua and Barbuda-flagged freighter Thorco Cloud sank with 560 metric tonnes of bunker fuel on board following a collision Wednesday with a Cayman Islands-flagged chemical tanker Stolt Commitment in the Singapore Strait, local media reports.
The incident was reported to have happened approximately 6 nautical miles (11 kilometres) north-west of Batam.
No bunker spill has yet been reported, although the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) says it has put an anti-pollution craft on standby, and has completed a survey to mark the sunken freighter for navigational safety.
The MPA was reported to have said the chemical tanker sustained only minor damage and is in stable condition.
Six of the freighter's crew members are reported to have been rescued, while search efforts for a remaining six were said to be ongoing.
As part of the search and rescue operations, the MPA is reported to have deployed two patrol craft and Singapore’s Police Coast Guard having deployed five vessels.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is also reported to have dispatched two vessels to assist with the search and rescue efforts, and Indonesian authorities are also said to be helping with the operations.
The MPA is reported to have issued navigational broadcasts to warn vessels in the area to stay clear of the collision site, as well as to report any sightings of missing crew members.
No disruption to shipping traffic in the Singapore Strait has been reported.
In January, the MPA said an oil spill occurred after Libyan-registered oil tanker Alyarmouk collided with Singapore-registered bulk carrier Sinar Kapuas in Singapore waters about 11 nautical miles north-east of Pedra Branca.
