Copenhagen-based Thorco Shipping has provided an update on the tragic sinking of the Thorco Cloud on December 16.
The chemical tanker Stolt Commitment and multipurpose general cargo vessel Thorco Cloud collided in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait last week.
The Stolt-Nielsen owned tanker sustained minor damage and is in stable condition however the Thorco Cloud sank in Indonesian waters six nautical miles (11 km) northwest of Batam with the loss of six Filipino crew.
The crew worked for Manila-based Marlow Navigation and survivors of the incident have been interviewed in the Philippine capital by authorities.
The first diving survey has been completed, which have resulted in good 3D images (pictured). The images reveal that Thorco Cloud reportedly has broken into two pieces, divided by some 1.6 km. Only minor oil leakage has been reported and the situation is under control by the local authorities. A wreckage and bunkers removal plan is currently being devised. Site scanning and ROV investigations are expected to be completed soon.
“We are working on getting a full overview of the entire situation to be able to comment further,” Thorco said in a release.
