25 May 2004  -  Foreign  Affairs  Secretary  Delia  Domingo  Albert  confirmed  today  that  the 16  Filipino crew members of the Korean car carrier vessel, M/V Hyundai and a number of Filipino seafarers of M/V Kaminesan, a Japanese oil tanker that collided in the Straits of Singapore about midnight of 22 May 2004, are safe and uninjured.

“I am relieved that none of the crewmembers of both vessels that figured in the accident, particularly the Filipinos, were hurt,” Secretary Albert said upon receipt of the report from the Philippine Embassy in Singapore.  “I have spoken to Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Belen F. Anota and instructed her to give our seafarers every assistance that they might require,” she added.

“We have to commend the port authorities of Singapore for the efficiency in handling the case and for averting a major catastrophe.  Despite the impact of the collision that caused the eventual sinking of the Korean vessel, the crewmembers were rescued to safety,” the Secretary further stated.

The M/V Hyundai, carrying a load of 4,000 Hyundai cars worth S$100 million  from Ulsan, Korea, was bound for Europe.  On the other hand, the M/V Kaminesan had a cargo of 280,000 tons of crude oil.  The ships collided in the Straits of Singapore, about 13 kilometers off the Sentosa Island.

The Philippine Embassy has been able to contact Mr. Duraini of the Singapore Shipping Corporation, the agent of M/V Hyundai, who confirmed that all 16 Filipino crewmembers of the Korean vessel are currently billeted in an unnamed hotel in Singapore. They were advised not to talk about the case pending completion of the investigation of the incident.

Meantime, the Japanese cargo vessel is docked at Singapore’s Eastern Special Purposes A Anchorage for repairs. END.