Classification
- Incident type: Collision
- Severity: Medium
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel name | MSC Alexandra |
| Vessel type | Container |
| Flag state | Panama [PA] |
| IMO number | 9461374 |
| Gross tonnage | 153115 |
| LOA (m) | |
| Breadth (m) | 51 |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2016-08-03 |
| Time | 23:55 local |
| Location | Precautionary Area of the TSS, Singapore Strait |
| Region | South China Sea |
| Coordinates | 01°11.28′ N, 103°49.85′ E |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Missing | |
| Cargo Loss | 6 empty containers overboard |
| Direct damage | |
| Estimated economic damage | |
| Outcome | Both vessels remained stable and traffic in the Singapore Strait was not affected. |
Key facts
- The collision occurred at about 23:55 local time in the Precautionary Area of the Singapore Strait traffic-separation scheme.
- MSC Alexandra was departing Singapore to join the eastbound lane; Dream II was transiting westbound.
- Singapore's Vessel Traffic Information System had given both vessels traffic information and alerted Dream II that MSC Alexandra was crossing the traffic lane.
- The MPA reported six empty containers overboard, while both vessels remained stable and traffic in the strait was not affected.
Narrative
At about 23:55 local time on 3 August 2016, the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Alexandra collided with the Panama-flagged VLCC Dream II in the Precautionary Area of the Singapore Strait traffic-separation scheme. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) recorded the position as 01°11.28'N, 103°49.85'E. MSC Alexandra was departing the Port of Singapore to join the eastbound lane, while Dream II was transiting westbound.
Before the collision, Singapore's Vessel Traffic Information System provided traffic information to both vessels and alerted Dream II that MSC Alexandra was crossing the traffic lane. The MPA reported bow damage to Dream II and damage to MSC Alexandra's port-quarter hull. It also recorded that six empty containers fell overboard. Both vessels remained stable, and traffic in the Singapore Strait was not affected.
A contemporaneous gCaptain article reported that both vessels later anchored in Singapore waters, that navigation broadcasts and recovery teams were deployed for floating containers, and that no injuries or oil pollution were reported. The article gave a different container figure, stating that 10 empty containers went overboard, including four that landed on Dream II's deck. The official MPA report records six containers; no explanation for the difference has been identified. The available material does not provide a monetary damage estimate or an official finding on the cause of the collision.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2016-08-03 before 23:55 local | MSC Alexandra departed Singapore to join the eastbound lane; Dream II was transiting westbound. VTIS provided traffic information and alerted Dream II that MSC Alexandra was crossing. |
| 2016-08-03 23:55 local | MSC Alexandra and Dream II collided in the Precautionary Area of the Singapore Strait traffic-separation scheme. |
| 2016-08-03 after the collision | The MPA recorded damage to both vessels and six empty containers overboard; both vessels remained stable and traffic was not affected. |
Investigation
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reported the casualty in its September 2016 status report to the Tripartite Technical Experts Group on Safety of Navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The available report records the event sequence and consequences but does not state a finding on causation.
References
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, *Marine Casualties Affecting Traffic Movement* (28 September 2016)
- gCaptain, *Iranian Supertanker Collides With Giant MSC Boxship in Singapore Strait* (4 August 2016)
Related
- MSC Alexandra
- Dream II
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
- MSC
- National Iranian Tanker Company
- South China Sea
- Collision