Malaysia says tankers in July 19 collision anchored in its waters (updated)

Hafnia

30/07/2024 06:55

(Writes through with details)
       KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Reuters) - Two tankers that
collided and caught fire near Singapore earlier this month are
afloat and anchored in Malaysian waters, with an investigation
into the incident ongoing, Malaysia's marine department said on
Tuesday.
    The Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile and the Sao Tome and 
Principe-flagged Ceres I collided and caught fire about 55 km
(35 miles) northeast of the Singaporean island of Pedra Branca
early on July 19.
    The Hafnia Nile, a Panamax tanker, was carrying about
300,000 barrels of naphtha destined for Japan, according to
ship-tracking data from Kpler and LSEG. Naphtha is a raw
material for making petrochemicals.
        "The Hafnia Nile is hazardous as it is still carrying
its naphtha cargo," Mohamad Halim Ahmed, Director General of
Malaysia's Marine Department, told a press conference, adding
the tanker was severely burnt and its superstructure was
compromised. 
  
        "Our priority is to ensure it remains afloat and can be
moved safely." 
  
        Mohamad Halim said his department was in contact with
Singaporean authorities and the owner of the Ceres I to move
both vessels to a safe location. 
  
        Once both vessels were moved out of open waters to a
port, the Malaysian government would then decide on the next
steps of the investigation, he said.       
  
    

 (Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by Christopher Cushing and
John Mair)
 ((danial.azhar@thomsonreuters.com))