On 12 Jun 03, at about 0242hrs, a Singapore-registered container ship, MV APL Emerald (40,077 gross tons), reported that it ran aground at about 1.3km south of Horsburgh Lighthouse in the Singapore waters (please refer to the attached chartlet). The vessel had departed the Singapore port on 11 Jun 03 at about 2330hrs and was bound for Chiwan, China.

The shipmaster reported that one of the vessel's water ballast tanks and four fuel oil tanks were damaged as a result of the incident. The shipmaster estimated that about 150 metric tonnes of fuel oil had leaked into the sea. There was no report of any injury to the crew. The vessel is in stable condition.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has deployed four anti-pollution craft to clean up the oil spill. The vessel's local agent, Tanker Pacific Management, has also arranged for divers and two anti-pollution craft to assist. An aerial recce is being conducted to further assess the situation.

None of the spilled oil has reached mainland Singapore. Port operations and vessel traffic remain unaffected.

Navigational broadcasts have been issued to inform ships in the vicinity, of the incident and to keep clear. The MPA will be investigating the incident.

End of Release.