By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Vessel Found After Prompt Search by Authorities
Malaysia announced it has intercepted a large oil tanker, Ceres I, which was involved in a collision with another vessel before fleeing the scene and deactivating its tracking system. The coastguard successfully located and detained Ceres I, sailing under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, along with two tugboats towing the vessel off the country's eastern coast.
The collision occurred with the Singapore flagged Hafnia Nile on Friday, causing both ships to catch fire. Singaporean officials confirmed that all crew members from both ships were rescued.
According to Malaysia's coastguard, Ceres I left the scene immediately after the collision, which caused a blaze and injured at least two crew members. The incident took place approximately 55km (35 miles) north east of the Singaporean island of Pedra Branca, as reported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
Zin Azman Mohamad Yunus, head of the Malaysian coast guard's search and rescue team, has not provided reasons for the São Tomé and Príncipe flagged tanker's attempt to flee but indicated that further investigations would be conducted. Singaporean authorities mentioned that after the rescue of around 40 crew members from the burning ships, 26 remained on Ceres I to combat the fire.
The Hafnia Nile, flying the Singapore flag, was reportedly carrying naphtha, a highly flammable petroleum product. The cause of the collision remains unclear, but Singaporean maritime authorities confirmed that ship traffic in the busy waterway was unaffected. However, Malaysian coastguard officials discovered an oil spill covering about 17 sq km (6.5 sq miles).
Ceres I is a large crude oil supertanker, and some reports suggest it may be part of a so called 'dark fleet' transporting oil from countries under sanctions. S&P Global Commodities at Sea, a market intelligence service, noted that the ship, operated by China's Shanghai Prosperity Ship Management, has previously carried Iranian crude, which is subject to US sanctions.
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