Malaysia says tankers that caught fire in collision near Singapore anchored in its waters
- An investigation into the collision between the Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile and the Sao Tome- and Principe-flagged Ceres I is ongoing
Two large oil tankers that collided and caught fire near Singapore earlier this month are afloat and anchored in Malaysian waters, with an investigation into the incident ongoing, Malaysia’s Marine Department said on Tuesday.
The Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile and the Sao Tome- and Principe-flagged Ceres I collided and caught fire about 55km (35 miles) northeast of the Singaporean island of Pedra Branca early on July 19.
The Hafnia Nile, a Panamax tanker, was carrying about 300,000 barrels of naphtha destined for Japan, according to ship-tracking data from Kpler and LSEG. Naphtha is a raw material for making petrochemicals.
“The Hafnia Nile is hazardous as it is still carrying its naphtha cargo,” Mohamad Halim Ahmed, Director General of Malaysia’s Marine Department, told a press conference, adding the tanker was severely burnt and its superstructure was compromised but its cargo intact.
“Our priority is to ensure it remains afloat and can be moved safely.”
Mohamad Halim said preliminary investigations found that the Ceres I was anchored before the collision due to technical issues. The Hafnia Nile’s attempts to avoid the Ceres I failed, resulting in the collision, he said.
