Singapore fights tanker fire and oil spill in back-to-back incidents

Authorities in Singapore are managing an engine fire incident on a tanker and dealing with an oil spill from a Shell-operated pipeline. The events occurred on October 21, 2024, and both are currently under control.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported that the fire broke out on the Malta-flagged tanker Med Atlantic at 10:30 am local time. The incident took place in the East Johor Straits, which lies within Singapore’s waters. Fortunately, the tanker was at anchor when the fire started, and there has been no disruption to shipping traffic in the area.

Quick Response from Authorities

After receiving the report, the MPA quickly deployed several rescue and firefighting vessels to the scene. The response team included:

• 1 patrol boat
• 2 Police Coast Guard vessels
• 3 marine firefighting and rescue vessels from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
• 2 tugboats for additional support

Authorities confirmed that all 22 crew members were safely evacuated and did not suffer any injuries. Later, the crew returned to the ship to perform safety checks.

To maintain safety, MPA issued navigational alerts to warn nearby vessels to avoid the area until further notice.

Fish Farms Told to Take Precautions

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is closely monitoring the situation, particularly because the affected area is near fish farms. The SFA has advised farm operators to take precautionary measures to protect their operations from any possible contamination.

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Fire Extinguished, Cause Being Investigated

A spokesperson from YMN Tanker Marine Management, the company responsible for managing the Med Atlantic, confirmed that the fire began at 02:30 GMT in the ship’s chimney stack. The fire was completely extinguished by 6:03 am GMT, and the crew safely returned to the vessel to ensure everything was secure.

YMN Tanker Marine Management, which is based in Turkey, manages the tanker’s technical and commercial operations. The tanker itself is owned by Sea Tankers 4, a company registered in Malta.

No Major Traffic Disruptions

Despite the fire, officials said that vessel traffic around the East Johor Straits remains unaffected. The MPA’s rapid action ensured navigational safety, and no other vessels were reported to be in danger.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities and the ship’s management team are now investigating the cause of the fire. Further updates will be provided as more details become available.