Collision with Maltese-registered tanker

The Malta Maritime Authority is investigating an incident in which a Chinese ship, Shunkai No 1, collided with a Maltese-registered oil tanker, MV Tasman Sea, which was anchored off the coast about 25 miles east of Tianjin in north China on Saturday.

As a result of the collision, an oil slick 2.5 miles long and 1.4 miles across spread from the damaged tanker. The 22-year-old MV Tasman Sea sustained a 50cm hole in its starboard cargo tank. No injuries were reported, MMA said in a statement yesterday.

Due to the immediate action by the crew to transfer cargo out of the damaged tank, pollution was kept to a minimum. The Chinese vessel sustained damages to its bow.

These reports are being investigated further by the MMA's local inspectors on site.

According to the vessel's managers, Tanker Pacific Management, the Tasman Sea was bound for Tianjin carrying 80,000 tons of oil.