SVG vessel collides with Malaysian tanker

A St. Vincent and the Grenadines registered vessel has been involved in a marine accident which has resulted in thousands of tonnes of crude oil spilling into the Singapore Strait.{{more}}

A cargo tank on the Malaysian registered tanker MT Bunga Kelena 3 was damaged when, at around 6 a.m local time on May 25, the vessel collided with the MV Wally, a bulk carrier registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The spill, which took place eight miles (13 kilometres) off Singapore’s southeastern coast in the Traffic Separation Scheme, is estimated at 2000 metric tonnes, or about 14,660 barrels. The TSS runs along the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

Four patrol and emergency response vessels and three private craft equipped with oil-spill equipment have been sent to the affected zone.

Nobody was injured and ship traffic was not affected by the incident, which took place eight miles (13 kilometres) off Singapore’s southeastern coast in the Traffic Separation Scheme, which runs along the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Singapore is Asia’s biggest oil-trading and storage centre.

Both vessels were anchored off Singapore, Asia’s biggest oil trading and storage centre, after the accident and neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia have been notified, the MPA said.