Incident

ENGINE: Algoa Bay closure spurs surge in bunker calls at nearby ports

Bunker demand has increased in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports as bunkering remains completely shut off in Algoa Bay, a source says.

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2023

Admin

Algoa Bay MarineTraffic / Bernd Bölscher

Ships sailing by Algoa Bay are forced to seek bunkers elsewhere as bunker operations remain suspended.

With Algoa Bay temporarily inaccessible for bunkering, ships being diverted to alternative ports in its vicinity to bunker.

Bunker demand has increased in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports as bunkering remains completely shut off in Algoa Bay, a source says. Ships are also seeking bunkers at other South African ports such as Durban and Cape Town.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability has remained steady so far in Durban, but availability could tighten there going forward because of the Algoa Bay crisis, a source says.

Some bunker buyers are still booking stems for deliveries in Algoa Bay in late October. They anticipate that bunkering could resume by that time, a port agent tells ENGINE. As of now, both onshore and offshore bunkering remain suspended, the port agent adds.

The reputational damage from the South African authority crackdowns could be immense. Even if the current issue is resolved and bunker operations resume, there may be lingering perceptions of Algoa Bay as a problematic location for bunkering, another source argues.

"Once bitten, twice shy," it says.

Algoa Bay bunkering has faced hightened scrutiny after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) detained bunker barges over import duty disputes earlier this month.

By Nithin Chandran

Manifold Times previously reported South African Revenue Service (SARS) issuing a media statement concerning the detention of five vessels involved in the fuel bunkering supply chain.

Source: ENGINE
Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Bernd Bölscher
Published: 2 October, 2023

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Incident

MPA: Malaysia-registered tanker “Silver Sincere” sinks off Pedra Branca

All eight crew members of the vessel were rescued after the vessel sank in Singapore territorial waters off Pedra Branca on 12 January; oil spill response craft have also been activated as a precaution.

Published

13 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Admin

MPA: Malaysia-registered tanker “Silver Sincere” sinks off Pedra Branca

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Sunday (12 January) said all eight crew members of Malaysia-registered tanker Silver Sincere were rescued after it was taking in water.

The vessel has since sunk in Singapore territorial waters off Pedra Branca.

MPA was alerted to a distress call from a Malaysia-registered tanker, Silver Sincere, at about 3:40pm (Singapore Time).

The master of the vessel had evacuated all the crew from the sinking vessel.

“All eight crew have been safely recovered from the vessel’s liferafts by Indonesia-registered freighter, Intan Daya 368, which was directed by MPA to render assistance,” MPA said in a statement.

“All crew are in healthy condition and will be disembarked at Batu Ampar, Indonesia.”

As part of the search and rescue efforts, MPA had also deployed its craft, together with craft from the Republic of Singapore Navy, and the Singapore Police Coast Guard. The search and rescue phase coordinated by MPA has been completed.

“For the vessel recovery phase, MPA has activated salvage tugs. As a precaution, oil spill response craft have also been activated,” it added.

MPA is broadcasting navigational safety advisory for passing vessels to stay clear of the incident site. Navigational traffic in the Singapore Strait is not affected.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Julian T
Published: 13 January, 2025

Incident

Vietnam-registered freighter “Dolphin 18” sinks in Singapore Maritime region

MPA reports boxship “Nicolai Maersk” rescued all 18 Vietnamese crew after receiving a distress call from the freighter, which was reported to be within Singapore Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

Published

13 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Saturday (11 January) said all 18 crew members of Vietnam-registered freighter Dolphin 18, which sank, have been rescued.

On 11 January at about 7am (Singapore Time), the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) operated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was alerted by Hong Kong-registered container vessel, Nicolai Maersk, that it had received a distress call from DOLPHIN 18.

The distressed vessel was reported to be about 274 nautical miles southwest of Vung Tau, Vietnam, within the Singapore Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

The MRCC Singapore coordinated the search and rescue and immediately issued navigational broadcasts for vessels in the vicinity to keep a lookout and report sightings of the vessel in distress, and also alerted our Vietnamese counterparts.

Nicolai Maersk arrived on scene shortly after and successfully rescued all 18 Vietnamese crew from lifeboats. All rescued crew were found to be in healthy condition.

Dolphin 18 was reported to have sunk. MRCC is issuing navigational broadcast for passing vessels to navigate with caution in the area.

Nicolai Maersk will be disembarking the rescued crew at its next port in Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 January, 2025

Environment

Singapore-registered bulker “YANGZE 22” reports bunker fuel spill due to collision in China

MPA reports a collision between Singapore-registered bulk carrier “YANGZE 22” and Japan-registered bulk carrier “VEGA DREAM” in the Changjiang River, leading to “YANGZE 22” spilling 9 mt of fuel oil into sea.

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (31 December) said it was informed of a collision between Singapore-registered bulk carrier YANGZE 22 and Japan-registered bulk carrier VEGA DREAM in the Changjiang River, China.

The incident occurred on 30 December 2024, at around 10 PM (Singapore Time).

YANGZE 22 reported damage to its hull and is currently anchored at Hengsha East Anchorage for damage assessment. YANGZE 22 also reported that about 9 metric tonnes (mt) of fuel oil spilled due to the collision.

The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), together with several support craft deployed by YANGZE 22’s company, are currently conducting clean-up of the fuel oil spilled. MPA was informed by the Shanghai MSA that the situation is under control.

Both YANGZE 22 and VEGA DREAM are in stable condition and no injuries to the crew are reported on

MPA is in touch with the ship management company of YANGZE 22 and the Shanghai MSA to offer the necessary assistance. MPA will investigate the incident.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Len Weigh
Published: 2 January, 2025