Two Crew Members Charged in Fatal Singapore Tanker Collision
Two crew members from the Singapore-registered oil tanker Hafnia Nile face charges under the Merchant Shipping Act following a tragic collision that resulted in one death and serious injuries. The incident occurred on July 19, 2024, approximately 55 kilometers northeast of Pedra Branca island, Singapore. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is prosecuting the individuals involved, who are now awaiting further court proceedings.
Details of the Collision and Charges
The crew members charged are 35-year-old Soosai Antony Vainer from India and 40-year-old Wickramage Viraj Amila Shavinda Perera from Sri Lanka. Court documents reveal that Perera was the officer in charge of the navigational watch during the incident. The collision involved the Hafnia Nile, which was transporting around 300,000 barrels of naphtha to Japan, and another vessel, the Ceres I, suspected to be part of Iran’s shadow fleet.
According to the charge sheets, Perera failed to adequately assess the navigational risks and maintain situational awareness, which contributed to the collision. The documents state that he did not ensure a proper lookout was maintained, leading to the unfortunate incident. Vainer, who was on duty as the lookout, reportedly noticed the Hafnia Nile approaching the Ceres I but did not inform Perera. He is also accused of steering the vessel without proper direction and failing to maintain an effective lookout.
The collision caused significant damage to both vessels, resulting in the death of a crew member aboard the Ceres I and serious injuries to another. At the time of the accident, the Ceres I was anchored due to technical issues and had no cargo on board, although it had previously transported Iranian crude oil, violating Western sanctions. This incident marks a notable event as it is believed to be the first collision involving a vessel from the shadow fleet.
Preliminary investigations by Malaysian marine authorities indicated that there was no substantial oil spill at the collision site, only a minor oil sheen attributed to damage to the Hafnia Nile‘s bunker tank. The cases against Vainer and Perera were heard in the State Courts on July 2 and have been adjourned for further proceedings later this month.
