An oil spill is threatening Singapore’s coastline after a tanker and a bulk carrier collided in waters around one of the world’s busiest container ports.
Authorities estimate 2,000t of oil was spilt after the Malaysian-registered tanker MT Bunga Kelana 3 collided with the MV Waily, registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Oil spill response companies were activated after the accident caused a 10m tear in the side of the MT Bunga Kelana, according to the Malaysian coast guard.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore told Reuters the collision occurred in the traffic separation scheme of the Singapore Strait.
The tanker, a 1998 Aframax-class vessel weighing 105,784dwt, was carrying cargo consisting of 60% light crude oil and 40% condensate.
AET Tanker Holdings, which manages the MT Bunga Kelana, is a subsidiary of MISC Bhd, the transport and energy unit of Malaysian oil giant Petronas.
