MSC vessel, VLCC collide in Singapore Strait

Ten empty containers fell overboard the 14,000-TEU MSC Alexandra after its collision with a tanker in the Singapore Straight Wednesday at around 23:55 local time.    Update: On Friday afternoon, an MSC spokesperson informed American Shipper all 10 empty containers that went overboard the 14,000-TEU MSC Alexandra have been retrieved. The MSC spokesperson said at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time it expects to commence the discharge of all containers for onward travel within 12 hours. The MSC Katie is being moved onto the AE11/Jade, since the MSC Alexandra will be undergoing repairs.

   A 14,000-TEU Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) containership and a very large crude carrier (VLCC) owned by Iran’s National Iranian Tanker Company collided in the Singapore Strait Wednesday at around 23:55 local time about 3 kilometers south east of Sebarok Island, maritime news outlet Splash24/7 reported.
   Consequently, 10 empty containers fell overboard from the MSC Alexandra. Four of the containers fell onto the deck of the 320,000 dwt tanker Dream 2, while the additional six containers fell into the water.
   It is not clear who was at fault for the collision, but the MSC Alexandra sustained damage to its port quarter hull, while the tanker sustained damage to its bow, according to Splash24/7.
   MSC said, “There was no loss of life in the incident, and no pollution caused as a direct result of the collision.”
   “We are now continuing to work closely with the authorities and salvage teams to ensure containers are safely discharged and that we can resume MSC Alexandra’s duties as soon as possible,” MSC Asia Managing Director Yock Juee Tan said.
   Both vessels are now safely under anchor in Singapore.
   Ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting illustrates the MSC Alexandra operates on the 2M Alliance’s AE11/Jade between Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The 2M Alliance is comprised of both Maersk Line and MSC.
   The AE11/Jade has a rotation of Qingdao, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Nansha, Chiwan, Yantian, Singapore, Malta, Barcelona, Valencia, La Spezia, Gioia Tauro, Port Said, King Abdullah City, Dubai, Singapore, Chiwan, Xiamen and Qingdao.
   A total of 11 vessels with an average capacity of 13,627 TEUs operate on the loop.