Post by : Badri Ariffin

A 229-metre (750-foot) bulk carrier collided with a 49-metre (160-foot) Chinese fishing boat in the Singapore Strait last Thursday, with footage showing seawater rushing across the smaller vessel’s deck as its crew struggled to hold on.

The bulk carrier First Margaux struck the Chinese fishing vessel Luqing Yuanyu 108 at around 5pm, according to reports citing ship-tracking data.

Both vessels had left anchorage near Singapore at roughly the same time that morning. They later entered the same westbound channel under the traffic separation scheme, a designated routing system used to manage vessel movements in the busy waterway.

Video Shows Moment of Collision

Video that surfaced over the weekend appears to have been filmed from aboard the fishing boat. It shows the bulk carrier approaching the smaller vessel from behind before its bow struck the side of the fishing boat.

The impact caused the fishing boat to spin around. Crew members could be seen holding on to railings as seawater poured across the deck.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Fishing Boat Continued Transmitting Signal

The Luqing Yuanyu 108 continued transmitting its automatic identification system signal after the collision. According to reports, the vessel was still being tracked on Sunday, indicating that it survived the incident and later reached a nearby berth.

The First Margaux continued travelling westbound at a steady speed of around 10 knots (18.5km/h) for roughly two hours after the collision. It then stopped, turned back and anchored.

Reports said the bulk carrier was overtaking the fishing boat when its bow made contact with the smaller vessel. The cargo ship was travelling up to three knots faster.

Analyst Raises Possibility of Third Vessel

Maritime analyst Sal Mercogliano suggested on social media that the First Margaux may have been constrained by another bulk carrier, potentially leaving the fishing boat between the two larger vessels.

He also pointed out that collision videos usually show only one perspective. Mercogliano described the Singapore Strait as one of the most complicated and heavily trafficked maritime areas in the world.

Investigation Launched

The First Margaux is a three-year-old bulk carrier of about 80,000 deadweight tonnes. The vessel is flagged in Panama and had a clean inspection record.

The Panama Maritime Authority confirmed in a statement to local media that it had launched an investigation into the incident.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore had not publicly issued a statement on the collision at the time of the report. The authority was contacted for comment.

Singapore Strait Is a Major Trade Route

The Singapore and Malacca straits form one of the world’s busiest and most important maritime trade corridors. The waterways carry nearly 40 per cent of global trade and about one-third of the world’s seaborne oil.

The Singapore Strait is a heavily used route for large commercial vessels, including bulk carriers, container ships and oil tankers.

#world news #Global News #Singapore News