A modern ultramax bulker has been involved in a collision with an elderly chemical tanker off southern Malaysia.
The 63,300-dwt Sinica Graeca (built 2015) and the 30,400-dwt Chemroad Mega (built 2000) collided 3.2 nm off Tompok Utara near Pengerang, Kota Tinggi.
Unconfirmed reports say there has been some pollution, but its extent is unclear at this stage. However, there were no injuries to any crew.
"At this moment in time the incident caused no injuries or pollution from the Chemroad Mega, however the incident allegedly resulted in a fuel oil spill from the bulk carrier," a spokesman for the ship's owner told TradeWinds.
"The Chemroad Mega is currently in a stable condition. A full investigation will take place into why this incident occurred," he added.
Both vessels are now said to be anchored at a location seven nautical miles southeast of Tompok Utara, Johor”s Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said in a statement.
He added that said Malaysia’s Department of Environment (DoE) had ordered both shipowners to post MYR 5m ($1.1m) as a bond, pending completion of the oil spill clean-up.
The DoE is investigating the cause of the collision, as well as the extent of the oil spill, according to reports in the local Malaysian media.
The Angelakos-controlled bulker was reported to be en route from Indonesia to Singapore when the incident took place.
The Iino Kaiun-owned tanker, with a crew of five Koreans and 11 Philipinos, was heading to Taiwan from Qatar with a 26,000t cargo of methane.
