An oil spill has been reported off Japan after a chemical tanker and general cargo vessel collided.
The accident involving the 1,300-dwt Japan-flag tanker Ryoshin Maru (built 2020) and the 5,400-dwt Belize-registered Xin Hai 99 (built 2008) took place on Saturday 3.5km off the coast of Wakayama prefecture, a Kushimoto Coast Guard official told the AP news agency.
No injuries have been reported among the six Japanese seafarers on the tanker or the 14 Chinese crew members on the cargo vessel.
The Coast Guard has begun an investigation, with both ships anchored in the area.
Some oil leaked from the engine area of the cargo ship and pollution control efforts have been launched.
The Xin Hai 99 started to sink after the collision but has since been stabilised.
Video footage showed the vessel down by the stern and listing to starboard.
The tanker had left Kobe in Japan to load chemicals and was in ballast at the time of the incident.
Investigation begins
Divers were sent to the scene and positioning data sought as part of the investigation.
The Chinese seafarers told the Coast Guard the tanker had suddenly veered toward them, the Kushimoto official said.
The tanker’s bow collided with the starboard side of the Xin Hai 99, the official added.
Tanker owner Rinei KK could not be contacted.
The vessel has no port state control inspections on its record.
The cargo ship has not been detained since 2019, when it was held in China with deficiencies related to the operation of fire protection systems, lifeboat embarkation arrangements and life-saving appliance training.
