Malaysia has reported intercepting a large oil tanker involved in a collision and subsequent attempt to flee, prompting an international maritime incident off its eastern coast. The tanker, Ceres I, flying the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, was detained along with two tugboats. The incident occurred after Ceres I collided with the Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile, resulting in fires on both vessels. Fortunately, all crew members from both ships were safely rescued, according to officials in Singapore.
The collision occurred approximately 55 km northeast of Pedra Branca, a Singaporean island, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Following the collision, Ceres I reportedly departed the scene, prompting questions about its actions. Malaysian coastguard officials, including Zin Azman Mohamad Yunus, head of the search and rescue team, indicated that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Singaporean authorities noted that despite the collision and subsequent fires involving naphtha—a highly flammable petroleum product—the incident did not disrupt ship traffic in the busy waterway. However, Malaysian coastguard officials discovered an oil spill spanning approximately 17 square kilometers as a result of the collision.
Ceres I, described as a large crude oil supertanker, has drawn attention due to its potential involvement in transporting oil from sanctioned countries. Reports suggest it may have links to operations transporting Iranian crude oil, which is subject to US sanctions. The tanker is operated by China’s Shanghai Prosperity Ship Management, according to market intelligence sources.
The exact cause of the collision remains unclear as authorities continue their investigations into the incident involving these two ships in Southeast Asian waters.
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