Malaysia Coast Guard locates oil tanker involved in collision off Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s coast guard said on Sunday it had located and intercepted a large oil tanker involved in a fiery collision with another vessel two days ago off Singapore.

The Coast Guard said on Saturday that the Sao Tome and Principe-flagged tanker Ceres I had left the location of the collision that caused a fire and injured at least two crew members. The ship was also believed to have turned off its tracking system, the Coast Guard said.

The Ceres I was found in Malaysian waters with two tugboats towing it, the Coast Guard said in a statement on Sunday.

The Ceres I and the two tugboats have been detained by the Coast Guard for further investigation, it added.

Meanwhile, aerial surveys conducted by the Coast Guard found minor traces of an oil spill at the location of the collision between the Ceres I and the  Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile, the Coast Guard said in the statement on  Sunday.

“The environment department has been informed and will conduct further monitoring,” it said.

The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday confirmed that four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) onboard one of the tankers were safe following the collision and fire off Singapore. — Reuters