Malaysia has intercepted a large oil tanker involved in a collision with another vessel, which then fled the scene and disabled its tracking system.
The tanker, Ceres I, flying the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, was located and detained by the Malaysian coastguard along with two tugboats that were towing it off the country’s eastern coast.
The collision occurred on Friday with the Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile, leading to fires on both ships. According to officials in Singapore, all crew members from both vessels were rescued.
Malaysia’s coastguard reported that Ceres I departed the scene immediately following the collision, which resulted in a blaze and injured at least two crew members.
The incident took place approximately 55 kilometers northeast of Singapore’s Pedra Branca island.
Zin Azman Mohamad Yunus, head of Malaysia’s coastguard search and rescue team, has not provided details on why Ceres I attempted to flee, but assured that further investigations are underway.
Singapore’s maritime authorities noted that after around 40 crew members were rescued, approximately 26 remained on Ceres I to combat the fire.
The Hafnia Nile, which was carrying naphtha, a highly flammable petroleum product, was also involved in the incident.
The exact cause of the collision remains unknown. Singapore’s maritime authorities confirmed that ship traffic in the busy waterway was not disrupted.
However, Malaysian coastguard officials reported an oil spill covering about 17 square kilometers.
Ceres I, a supertanker designed for crude oil, is suspected of being part of a ‘dark fleet’ engaged in transporting oil from sanctioned countries.
According to market intelligence from S&P Global Commodities at Sea, the vessel, managed by Shanghai Prosperity Ship Management in China, has previously transported Iranian crude, which is subject to US sanctions.
Source-BBC
