Two Collisions off Singapore

Following the oil spillage from two collisions south of Jurong Island and off Marina South on 29 and 30 January 2014 respectively, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been coordinating the containment and clean-up efforts. Good progress has been made since the start of the operations.

Two Collisions off Singapore

Namely, the first accident, which occurred yesterday, involving Hong Kong-flagged chemical tanker, “Lime Galaxy” and China-flagged containership, “Feihe”, caused bunker tanks damage on the containership, resulting in some spillage of bunker fuel.

MPA today reported that another collision took place at East Keppel Fairway at about 4 km south of Marina South between a Panama-flagged containership, involving “NYK Themis”, which had collided into a barge “AZ Fuzhou”. The barge was being towed by tug “AZ Carnation” at the time. Prior to the incident, MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre had informed “NYK Themis” of the presence of “AZ Fuzhou” in the fairway. “NYK Themis” reported that one of her bunker tanks sustained damage, resulting in some spillage of bunker fuel.

A total of 20 craft from MPA and oil spill response companies have been deployed for the clean-up efforts. Containment booms were used to contain and prevent the oil patches from hitting the coastlines and approved oil dispersants are being used to break up the oil patches into smaller globules.

Patches of oil may be spotted in the vicinity of the Southern Islands but the public is advised not to be alarmed.

The four vessels involved in the collisions are currently safely anchored and in stable condition. There is no report of injuries, and port operations remain unaffected.

Investigations into the causes of collisions are on-going.

[mappress]

MPA, January 30, 2014