MPA Singapore informed that on 16 December 2015 at 2014 hours (Singapore time), Cayman Islands-registered chemical tanker “Stolt Commitment” and freighter “Thorco Cloud” bearing the Antigua and Barbuda flag collided in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait.
The incident happened in Indonesian waters 6 nautical miles (11 km) north-west of Batam. The chemical tanker sustained minor damage and is in stable condition. The freighter carrying 560 metric tonnes of bunker fuel sank. There was no Singaporean crew member on either vessel.
MPA deployed two patrol craft for search and rescue operations. Singapore’s Police Coast Guard (PCG) supported MPA by deploying five boats, and rescued five of the 12 freighter crew members. A sixth was rescued by the chemical tanker.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) dispatched two vessels to assist in the search and rescue efforts. SCDF also conveyed the six rescued crew members to Singapore General Hospital. Search and rescue operations for the remaining freighter crew members are on-going.
MPA alerted the Indonesian authorities of the incident. The Indonesian authorities commenced search and rescue operations. MPA is assisting the Indonesian authorities to survey and mark the sunken freighter to ensure navigational safety.
MPA has issued navigational broadcasts to vessels in the vicinity to keep clear of the area and to report any sightings of the missing crew members. There is no disruption to shipping traffic in the Singapore Strait. While there are currently no reports of any oil spill, MPA has also put on standby anti-pollution craft.