Malaysia has intercepted the oil tanker Ceres I, which fled after colliding with the Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile, causing fires on both ships. The tanker, sailing under São Tomé and Príncipe’s flag, turned off its tracking system after the incident. The Malaysian coastguard located and detained Ceres I and two towing tugboats off the eastern coast.
The collision, which occurred 55 km northeast of Singapore’s Pedra Branca, resulted in a blaze that injured at least two crew members. About 40 crew members from both ships were rescued, with 26 staying on Ceres I to combat the fire. The Hafnia Nile was carrying naphtha, a highly flammable petroleum product.
An oil spill covering 17 square kilometers was found by Malaysian coastguard officials. The cause of the collision remains unclear, and further investigations are underway. Singapore maritime authorities reported that ship traffic in the busy waterway was unaffected.
Ceres I, a large crude oil tanker, is suspected of being part of a ‘dark fleet’ transporting oil from sanctioned countries, having previously carried Iranian crude under US sanctions.
Melissa Enoch
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