Malaysia tracks down missing oil tanker which fled after collision

Malaysia has successfully located and detained a large oil tanker named Ceres I, which had fled the scene after colliding with another vessel, the Hafnia Nile, off the coast of Pedra Branca, a small island belonging to Singapore. The incident occurred on a Friday, resulting in both ships catching fire. Fortunately, all crew members from both vessels were rescued by dedicated rescue teams. The Malaysian coastguard reported that Ceres I, which sails under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, attempted to escape immediately after the collision, turning off its tracking system, which complicated efforts to locate it. The head of the Malaysian coastguard's search and rescue team, Zin Azman Mohamad Yunus, has not provided a clear reason for the tanker’s attempt to flee but has assured that further investigations will be conducted. After the collision, around 40 crew members were rescued, with approximately 26 remaining on the Ceres I to help extinguish the fire. The Hafnia Nile, which is flagged in Singapore, was reportedly carrying naphtha, a highly flammable petroleum product. The cause of the collision remains unclear, but Singaporean maritime authorities have stated that ship traffic in the busy waterway was not affected. However, the Malaysian coastguard discovered an oil spill covering about 17 square kilometers. Ceres I is classified as a supertanker that transports crude oil. Some reports suggest that it may be part of a so-called 'dark fleet,' which is known for transporting oil from countries that are under international sanctions. According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea, the Ceres I has previously been involved in transporting Iranian crude oil, which is subject to US sanctions, raising concerns about its operations and the implications for international maritime law.