MT CERES 1 UNDETECTABLE AFTER LEAVING COLLISION SITE - MMEA

KOTA TINGGI, July 20 (Bernama) -- The vessel, MT Ceres 1 which was involved in a collision with MT Hafnia Nile 25 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Balau yesterday, could not be detected after leaving the scene and shutting down its automatic identification system (AIS).

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) search and rescue operations and disaster relief division director, First Admiral Zin Azman Mad Yunus, said efforts to track the vessel, registered in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, are actively underway and the Bombardier CL 415 MP amphibious aircraft has been deployed for rescue and investigation purposes.

He noted that the tanker's departure from the scene is suspicious and did not rule out the possibility that it left to evade accountability following the incident.

bootstrap slideshow

"Yesterday, the ship was still at the location when we suspended the search operation late in the evening. We resumed this morning, but assets in the field reported that MT Ceres 1 was no longer there.

“The MMEA is unable to ascertain the true condition of the vessel and its crew, as they cannot be contacted," he told a press conference at the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone here today.

Based on information from the Johor Bahru Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) and the Malaysian Maritime Department, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) registration number of MT Ceres 1 appears dubious and efforts are ongoing to obtain information from the ship's agent, who has yet to respond.

bootstrap slideshow

Zin Azman said MT Ceres 1, with 40 crew members on board and its cargo type unknown, has raised concerns. Fourteen crew members were rescued by a Singaporean tugboat and taken to Singapore for treatment, while the remaining 26 are believed to be still on the ship, likely within Malaysian waters.

"The condition of these 26 crew members is unclear. Given the ship's disappearance, it's possible they managed to control the fire and moved to an unknown location, but likely still within Malaysian waters and the Special Task and Rescue Team (STAR Team) has been deployed to locate the ship,” he added.

Meanwhile, 22 crew members of MT Hafnia Nile, registered in Singapore and carrying chemicals of the 'naptha' type, were rescued by the Singapore Navy RSS Supreme and treated in Singapore. The ship drifted to Pemanggil Island, and efforts to bring it to a safe area are being coordinated with the Malaysian Marine Department.

Zin Azman confirmed the incident occurred in national waters and an oil spill was detected, adding that more information would be provided soon.

The Carilamat Forward Base (PHC) was established at the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone jetty to coordinate the search following the incident at 6:55 am yesterday.

-- BERNAMA