NO OIL SPILLS NEAR BURNING TANKER

PORT DICKSON (Malaysia), Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Liberia registered tanker
which caught fire after a collision with a bulk carrier Tuesday night has not
caused an oil spill.

Port Dickson police chief Supt Mazlan Othman said although there were no oil
spills, the Department of Environment (DOE) would continue to monitor the
waters.

"As of 6pm, the fire on the MT Formosa Product Brick is still intense. The
tanker is listing and rescue workers have yet to board it," he told reporters
here WEdnesday.

The bulk carrier MV Ostende Max had been towed away while its three injured
crew had been sent to Port Dickson Hospital for treatment.

Mazlan said the Polish crew aged 38, 59 and 62 suffered burns to the hands
while one had a fractured rib cage after falling from a ladder during the
collision.

Police were still investigating the incident as they were conflicting
reports from crew of MT Formosa Product Brick and MV Ostende Max.

Nine crew of MT Formosa Product Brick were still missing. Three of the 16
rescued had left hospital and put up at a hotel.

More than 50,000 vessels pass through the 621 mile Straits of Melaka and the
narrow passage may lead to collisions.

An engineer with an oil refinery here told Bernama MT Formosa Product Brick
was laden with 58,000 tonnes of inflammable naptha fuel.

"Rescue workers can't board the tanker because of the high risk involved.
However, the fire had been brought under control," he said.

Representatives from the Chinese embassy, insurance and vessel owners had
already arrived here to assess the damage caused by the fire.
--BERNAMA