scotsfiancee
15th August 2006, 06:20
Japanese tanker spills tons of crude oil after collision
Agence France-Presse, Associated Press
Last updated 12:43pm (Mla time) 08/15/2006
TOKYO -- (2ND UPDATE) A Japanese tanker spilled around 4,500 tons of crude oil in the Indian Ocean following a collision with a cargo vessel, a spokesman for the tanker's owner said Tuesday.
The Bright Artemis, with 23 people onboard, leaked the oil on Monday some 290 kilometers (180 miles) west of India's Great Nicobar Island, a spokesman for Mitsui O.S.K. line said in Tokyo.
The collision occurred when the Bright Artemis, sailing to Japan carrying 250,000 tons of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and Oman, was trying to rescue the crew of the Singaporean vessel Amar, which was on fire, he said.
"The Bright Artemis approached the vessel to try to save people on the vessel, but accidentally the two collided," the spokesman said.
"It is difficult to calculate at this moment, but the oil leak may have hit some 4,500 tons," the spokesman said, adding that no one was injured in the accident.
After informing Singaporean and Indian authorities of the accident, the tanker resumed sailing to Japan as there was no fear of sinking or further oil leakage, the spokesman said.
Japan, the world's second largest economy, is heavily dependent on oil imports from the Middle East.
Agence France-Presse, Associated Press
Last updated 12:43pm (Mla time) 08/15/2006
TOKYO -- (2ND UPDATE) A Japanese tanker spilled around 4,500 tons of crude oil in the Indian Ocean following a collision with a cargo vessel, a spokesman for the tanker's owner said Tuesday.
The Bright Artemis, with 23 people onboard, leaked the oil on Monday some 290 kilometers (180 miles) west of India's Great Nicobar Island, a spokesman for Mitsui O.S.K. line said in Tokyo.
The collision occurred when the Bright Artemis, sailing to Japan carrying 250,000 tons of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and Oman, was trying to rescue the crew of the Singaporean vessel Amar, which was on fire, he said.
"The Bright Artemis approached the vessel to try to save people on the vessel, but accidentally the two collided," the spokesman said.
"It is difficult to calculate at this moment, but the oil leak may have hit some 4,500 tons," the spokesman said, adding that no one was injured in the accident.
After informing Singaporean and Indian authorities of the accident, the tanker resumed sailing to Japan as there was no fear of sinking or further oil leakage, the spokesman said.
Japan, the world's second largest economy, is heavily dependent on oil imports from the Middle East.