What Happened to Malaysian Marine Tanker?
Malaysian and Indonesian maritime authorities were searching for a fuel tanker with 10 crew members on board that has disappeared in an apparent hijacking. According to a Reuters report, the oil tanker carrying 900,000 litres of diesel has been hijacked and taken into Indonesian waters, Malaysian maritime authorities said. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said in a statement that the ship, Vier Harmoni, has been located in the waters off Batam, Indonesia. The MMEA said they have yet to confirm the identity of the hijackers. But, according to Indonesian Navy, the oil tanker, believed hijacked in Malaysia, has been taken back to Indonesia by its crew following a commercial dispute.
RASI Endurance Challenge 2015
A group of 40 enthusiasts from the maritime and insurance community in Singapore have come together, to undertake a 24 hour endurance sea challenge, all in aid of the global maritime welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers. Mission Row Around Singapore Island (RASI), will see two teams in ocean-going rowing boats attempt the 140km journey, taking on the seas and shipping lanes (not to mention two live military firing ranges) to complete a non-stop circumnavigation of the island of Singapore. The event itself will be held during the 50th anniversary year of Singapore’s independence and will also coincide with Singapore Maritime Week occurring between 19 to 25 April 2015.
USS Makin Island Visits Singapore
The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), embarked with Amphibious Squadron Five and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Singapore today (Jan. 16) for a scheduled port visit. Sailors and Marines will have an opportunity to experience the Singapore culture and take part in a variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sponsored events. Dozens of Sailors and Marines will also be participating in community service projects in the area, during the visit. “The crew is looking forward to a return visit to Singapore,” said Makin Island’s commanding officer, Capt. Jon P. Rodgers. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready…
SSA Appeals to Indonesia to Stop Forest Fires
Grave concerns on safe navigation through Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The Malacca and Singapore Straits is a strategic gateway in world trade and one of the world’s busiest waterways. On any given day, over 140 ships – such very large oil tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and cruise liners, ply through the Straits; not forgetting the smaller crafts like passenger ferries, tugs and barges making frequent cross-Straits voyages in the littoral states of Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. During the past week, acrid haze originating from forest fires in Sumatra, Indonesia has blanketed the region, including the southern Straits, southern peninsular Malaysia and the island of Singapore.
Chevron Oronite Aims to Expand Singapore Plant
Chevron Oronite recently confirmed that it is planning to significantly expand the capacity of its existing additives plant on Jurong Island in Singapore. Project plans include growth in component manufacturing, blending and shipping capacity and overall infrastructure to increase total supply capability for the Asia-Pacific Region. “Our Singapore plant, already the largest additives plant in the Asia Pacific region, was built to support the growing Asia Pacific market,” said Andy Tugendhat, Vice President of Sales. Chevron Oronite expects that the additional capacity realization will occur in the 2014 timeframe. The company did not disclose the amount of its investment in the project.
Tankers Collide in Singapore Waters
Two Singapore-registered bunker tankers collided near St John's Island resulting in a 200-ton oil spill, maritime officials said. No one was injured in the crash Thursday and most of the spill was cleaned up, the Maritime and Port Authority - said. The Seafalcon and the Frontek were sailing from opposite directions and rammed into each other 500 miles south of the island in Singapore's waters, the MPA said. The tankers operate as 'floating fuel stations' that refuel ships sailing to and from other countries. The collision damaged one of the Seafalcon's 10 tanks. The Frontek's bow was damaged, but no oil spilled from it. The MPA had dispatched five-anti-pollution craft to the scene. The clean-up continued late into the night.
