Asia/Pacific News
Bunker Spill in Singapore After Bulk Carrier Collision
Two bulk carriers collied in Singapore this morning resulting in approximately 100 metric tonnes of fuel oil being spilled, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a statement today.
No injuries have been reported, with port operations, and traffic in the port and the Strait of Singapore, all said to be unaffected.
MPA said at about 05:30 hours local time it was notified that South Korean-registered bulk carrier, Oriental Pioneer, and a Bahamas-registered bulk carrier, Atlantic Hero, had collided at about 6.6km south-west of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
The bunker spill resulted from damage to one of Oriental Pioneer's bunker tanks.
MPA said it immediately dispatched patrol craft to deal with the oil spill, and along with patrol craft from oil spill response companies, a total of 10 patrol and anti-pollution craft have been deployed to clean up the spilled oil.
Work is currently continuing and MPA is co-ordinating the clean up with other government agencies and the ship owners.
The two vessels involved in the collision are said to be currently safely anchored in the Eastern Bunkering Anchorages, and MPA is investigating the cause of the collision.
The 69,606 dwt Oriental Pioneer was built in 1996, while the 75,804 dwt Atlantic Hero was built in 2005.
