Tanker Collision Sparks Fire, Injures Crew in Singapore Waters

Tankers Collide, burst into flames in Singapore; crew members hurt...

Hafnia Nile and Ceres I tankers collide in Singapore waters, no oil spill reported.

A dramatic collision between two large oil tankers sparked a massive fire in the waters near Singapore on Friday, July 19. The incident occurred in the eastern approach to the Singapore Straits, approximately 55 km (34 miles) northeast of Pedra Branca island.

Two crew members were airlifted to the hospital, while others were rescued from life rafts. The collision involved the Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile and the Sao Tome and Principe-flagged Ceres I. The owner of Hafnia Nile confirmed the vessel's involvement in the collision, which led to the devastating fire.

All 62 crew members from both vessels, Hafnia Nile and Ceres I, are safe and accounted for after the collision and fire.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) received distress signals at 6:15 a.m. local time (2215 GMT). Photos released by the Singapore Navy show thick black smoke billowing from one of the tankers, with crew members being rescued from life rafts and airlifted to hospitals for medical attention.

The Hafnia Nile, a Panamax tanker with a capacity of 74,000 deadweight tons (IMO 9766217), was carrying approximately 300,000 barrels of naphtha at the time of the incident. Authorities are preparing for potential oil spill response measures, though no leaks have been reported yet.

The contents of the fuel cargo on board the Ceres I (IMO 9229439), a very-large-crude-carrier (VLCC) with a capacity of 300,000 deadweight tons, were unclear. However, ship-tracking data showed that it had previously transported Iranian crude oil from March to April.

According to shipping data from LSEG, the Ceres I had been anchored at the same location since July 11, remaining stationary for over a week before the collision and fire occurred on July 19.

An analyst revealed that the area where the collision occurred is a hotspot for vessels from the “dark fleet” to transfer Iranian oil, circumventing US sanctions. The analyst noted that Ceres I has a history of involvement in transporting Iranian oil, violating US sanctions.

Additionally, it was discovered that the tanker had been involved in transporting Venezuelan oil to China in recent years, suggesting a pattern of involvement in transporting oil from sanctioned countries.

She added, “Ceres I has frequently been implicated in the transfer or transportation of Iranian oil, which violates US sanctions.”

The tanker Ceres I had been involved in transporting Venezuelan oil to China in recent years, highlighting its role in the global oil trade.

Singapore, the world's largest bunkering port and Asia's premier oil trading hub, plays a vital role in global commerce, particularly in the maritime routes connecting Asia with Europe and the Middle East. Its strategic location makes it a critical node for international trade, including the oil trade.