Two Bulk Carriers Collide Off Singapore Causing Oil Spill

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) received a report that a 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 on 2 July 2013. One of the Oriental Pioneer’s bunker tanks was damaged and approximately 100 metric tonnes of fuel oil were spilled.

Upon notification, MPA immediately dispatched its patrol craft to deal with the oil spill. Oil spill response companies were also activated to augment the patrol craft fleet. 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 coordinating the clean-up with other government agencies and the ship owners.

The two vessels involved in the collision are currently safely anchored in the Eastern Bunkering Anchorages. MPA has issued navigational broadcasts to ships to navigate with caution when in the vicinity of the incident site. There is no report of injury and port operations remain unaffected.

Traffic in the port and the Strait of Singapore is unhampered.

MPA is investigating the cause of the collision.

[mappress]

MPA, July 2, 2013