New Bunker Collides with Chinese Fishing Boat, 8 Missing

Fishing boat at sunset
Asia Accidents & Emergencies
By
Updated Published

An accident between a newly built Singapore-registered bunker vessel that had just completed construction in China and a fishing boat is being investigated by Chinese authorities. The China Maritime Safety Administration sent information to The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, who released the details shortly after. 

The accident took place on December 26th when the new bunker tanker was voyaging from Chengham Jiao in Northern China to Zhoushan, according to reports. 

The vessel was built for Consort Bunkers, which operates in both Singapore and Zhoushan. In the reports, it’s currently unclear if the tanker may have been on a delivery from the shipyard to the homebase in China, or if it was planned for the ship to proceed to Singapore. 

Pearl Kenzo, the 7,999 dwt tanker, was built for Consort Bunkers as part of the company’s expansion efforts. This new vessel, which is 377 feet in length, has a reported top speed of 12 knots. The vessel was underway on December 26th when it collided with a Chinese-flagged fishing vessel, Suiyupu 0183, shortly after midnight. 

A search and rescue mission was launched by the China Maritime Safety Administration. They informed the MPA that 8 crew members of the fishing boat were missing after it had sunk. The crew of the bunker vessel was reportedly unharmed. 

The vessel had just finalized construction earlier in December at Jinglu Shipbuilding, with the naming and handover ceremony taking place on December 18th. The ship has unique capabilities, according to the shipyard, with the vessel boasting a special coating for its tanks that enables it to have extra versatility in its cargo operations. The vessel can load up to 9,000 cubic meters and has a double-hull structure. This increases safety and environmental security. 

At the time of the collision, it was apparently traveling without cargo and there are no reports of any environmental spills as a consequence. 

After the accident, Chinese officials are reporting that the bunker vessel has remained anchored at Shidao in Northern China, while the investigation is ongoing.