(Bloomberg) — Two oil tankers have been on fire since early Friday morning after a collision to the east of Singapore, raising fresh questions over the rising risks to maritime traffic, the environment and human lives in one of the world’s busiest waterways. #OilTankersCollision
The Hafnia Nile, a Singapore-flagged refined-products tanker, and the Ceres I, a crude oil tanker, collided 55km northeast of Pedra Branca. The crash occurred early on Friday, according to a statement from Danish shipping firm Hafnia. All 22 crew members from both vessels have been rescued.
The cause of the collision remains unclear. The aging Ceres I, returning empty from China, highlights issues with older, uninsured vessels. Additionally, the waters east of the Malaysian peninsula have been a hotspot for dark fleet activity.
Ceres I, built in 2001, remains in use beyond typical scrapping timelines. Its P&I insurer is unknown, a common trait among dark fleet ships. Data compiled by Bloomberg reveals this characteristic is typical for such vessels. #OilTankersCollision
The vessel hauled cargoes from Iran and Venezuela earlier this year and last year, according to data from market intelligence firm Kpler. The flag of Sao Tome, meanwhile, is used by only 55 vessels out of a merchant fleet of tens of thousands of ships, according to Clarkson Research Services, a unit of the world’s largest shipbroker.
Authorities are currently managing the Oil Tankers Collision aftermath. Furthermore, efforts are underway to contain the spread of any spilled oil to prevent a larger ecological disaster.
