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Two crew members of Singapore-registered oil tanker charged for collision near Pedra Branca

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MPA filed charges against Sri Lankan Wickramage Viraj  Amila  Shavinda  Perera, 40, and Indian national Soosai Antony Vainer, 35, who were crew members “Hafnia Nile” over a collision that killed a man.
Singapore-flagged tanker “Hafnia Nile” to be moved to safe location for cargo transfer

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has filed charges against two crew members of Singapore-registered oil tanker Hafnia Nile over a collision against tanker Ceres 1 that killed a man and caused serious injury on another, according to news reports on Wednesday (2 July). 

Hafnia Nile and the Sao Tome and Principe-flagged Ceres I collided and caught fire about 55km northeast of Pedra Branca on 19 July 2024. The collision took place around 55km northeast of Pedra Branca within Singapore’s Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

Wickramage Viraj  Amila  Shavinda  Perera, 40, was the officer in charge of the navigational watch on Hafnia Nile between 5.40am and 6am on 19 July 2024. He was accused of failing to make “a full appraisal of the situation and the risk of dangers to navigation, maintain situational awareness of the area around the Hafnia Nile and ensure that a proper lookout was maintained”.

Due to this, the vessel collided with the Ceres I, causing “serious damage” to both tankers and the death of Mr Sellakkannu Shanmugasundaram, who was on board the Ceres I.

Meanwhile, 35-year-old Indian national Soosai Antony Vainer, who served as the lookout on the Hafnia Nile, is accused of observing the approaching Ceres I but failing to alert the officer in charge of navigational watch. Instead, Vainer reportedly steered the vessel unprompted and neglected his duty to maintain vigilance, ultimately resulting in the collision. 

A further mention of both cases were heard in Singapore’s State Courts on 2 July, and adjourned to a later date this month.

Related: MPA: Fire breaks out on two ships near Pedra Branca, search and rescue underway
Related: “Ceres 1” goes dark after collision with Singapore-flagged tanker, located by MMEA
Related: Malaysia: “Ceres 1” did not flee collision site but drifted away, says authorities
Related: Singapore-flagged tanker “Hafnia Nile” to be moved to safe location for cargo transfer

 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 3 July, 2025

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