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  Channel NewsAsia 11 Jan 07
Two bunker tankers collide south of St John's Island
By Sharon Tong

SINGAPORE: Two bunker tankers collided in the Southern Fairway, about 500 metres south of St John's Island Thursday afternoon.

The Maritime and Port Authority says the collision, which occurred at about 2.20pm resulted in about 200 tonnes of oil spillage from the damaged tank of one of the tankers.

Five anti-pollution craft were despatched to the scene and the oil spill was mostly cleaned up by 5pm.

MPA says a few small oil patches remain but the situation is under control.

The authorities are currently conducting investigations into the accident. - CNA /dt

Straits Times 12 Jan 07
Oil spill after 2 tankers collide
Most of spill near St John's Island mopped up by 5pm; no one hurt
By Lee Hui Chieh

TWO bunker tankers collided near St John's Island yesterday afternoon, resulting in a 200-tonne oil spill which was mostly cleaned up by the evening. Nobody was injured in the accident, which occurred at 2.20pm.

Both Singapore-registered tankers, the Seafalcon and the Frontek, sailed from opposite directions and rammed into each other about 500m south of St John's Island. Both tankers operate in Singapore waters only, as they are 'floating fuel stations' that ferry marine fuel oil to refuel ships sailing to and from other countries.

The crash damaged one of the Seafalcon's 10 tanks and caused about 200 tonnes of oil to spill into the sea. The Frontek suffered damage to its bow, but no oil spillage.

In a statement yesterday, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it had dispatched five anti-pollution craft, which had mopped up most of the spill by 5pm. The clean-up was still in progress at press time last night.

As a precaution, the MPA has also placed an oil boom around the vessel, although no further oil spillage has since been reported. The remaining oil carried by the Seafalcon has been transferred to another tanker.

The MPA added that the accident did not affect port operations and shipping traffic. It is investigating the incident.

The operations manager of the Seafalcon's agent, Ignition Point, Mr J.K. Ng, said the ship had been on its way to deliver fuel oil to a customer. The vessel, which is more than 20 years old and manned by 12 crew members at the time of the collision, is one of just two used by Ignition Point.

Mr Ng said it was too early to tell how much losses the company sustained from the incident, but there would definitely be an impact on business. He said: 'We have a lot of jobs on hand, so now we'll have to look for other suppliers to take over, and we'll have to pay them. We may also have to compensate customers if we end up delivering oil late.'

The Frontek has been berthed for repairs. Its agent, Sentek Marine, could not be contacted yesterday.
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