At about 1510hrs on 27 January 2011 (Singapore time), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was informed that a Singapore-registered asphalt tanker, "AB9", was listing off the east coast of Pulau Bintan. The vessel was subsequently reported to have sunk at about 1700hrs.

At the time of the incident, the vessel was reported to be on her way from Singapore to Sumbawa, Indonesia. There are 14 crew, all Thai nationals, on board the tanker. All the crew were reported to have been rescued by the Indonesian Navy.

For media enquiries relating to the vessel and crew, please contact the ship owner, AB1 Shipping Pte Ltd, representative Ms Tracy Kuah at 96821515.

End of Release.