The Indonesian Navy is working to ensure that no environmental damage results from the sinking of Djibouti-flagged oil tanker MT Young Yong in the waters of the Singapore Strait near Nipah Island, Karimun, Riau Islands.

“We have sent divers to see the ship’s condition, and we will ensure that there is nothing that harms Indonesia, especially in terms of the environment, such as oil spills and coral damage. The gas pipeline near the ship (sinking site) is also safe,” Commander of the Navy’s Main Base in Batam, Commodore Kemas M. Ikhwan, informed here on Wednesday.

The ship, which was carrying 284,429 tons of oil, reportedly sank at 8:18 p.m. local time on October 27, 2022, and has not been removed yet from the seabed.

The tanker’s position on the seabed has made towing difficult, Ikhwan explained.

“As of today, it has not been successfully towed and is still in its position. We have deployed officers around the site to monitor the progress,” he said, adding that the Navy is coordinating with the tanker’s owner to move it.

“The company is still looking for a ship that can help move it off from the sinking site. It cannot be estimated when, because it is technical,” he said.

Earlier, on October 29, the Tanjung Balai Karimun Port Authority and Harbormaster Office (KSOP) had conducted an underwater survey for helping evacuate the tanker.

“Before the evacuation, an underwater survey was carried out because there is a gas pipeline towards Singapore (near the sinking site),” head of public relations at Tanjung Balai Karimun KSOP, Inna Maulina, said.

Furthermore, there have been no casualties and pollution indicated in the tanker incident, she added.

The tanker measures 320.28 meters in length and 58.00 meters in width.

Source: Antara News