Norgas vessel in collision with Indonesian ferry

SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 — IM Skaugen Group member Norgas Carriers Pte Ltd of Singapore reports that its operated vessel the Norgas Cathinka has anchored off the port of Bakauheni in Indonesia and local coast guards have now left the vessel.

The move follows an incident earlier today in which the vessel was involved in a collision with a RO/RO passenger ferry Bahuga Jaya near Merak.

A search and rescue operation, which was mounted immediately after the incident at 05.40 hours this morning, is continuing.

Local but as yet unconfirmed reports in Indonesia say that eight people are still missing. More than 100 passengers from the ferry were rescued.

“We are awaiting Flag State and Classification society confirmation of seaworthiness of the vessel and the integrity of the cargo,” says Norgas. “Upon such approval we will relocate the vessel in cooperation with the authorities to a safe anchorage. This will enable the authorities to complete their investigation.”

“The Master has reported that our vessel sustained structural damage to its hull but there has been no ingress of water and there is no danger of the vessel sinking,” says Norgas. “We can confirm the Norgas Cathinka’s cargo of propylene is secure and there is no pollution or environmental damage from our vessel.”

“Local police are still on board the vessel and our Master and crew are co-operating fully with on-going investigations,” says Norgas.

A team of senior crisis response executives from Norgas has now arrived in Indonesia and Norgas says it will continue to cooperate with inquiries into the causes of the incident.

Morits Skaugen, IM Skaugen Chief Executive Officer, said: “I wish to personally place on record my regret and sorrow over this sad and unfortunate incident.

“I also wish to offer my condolences to the families who have lost loved ones today and stress again that as a responsible shipowner for almost 100 years, it will be our company’s absolute duty to discover the truth about how this happened.

“We shall be unstinting in our efforts to discover the facts of the incident and we are giving full cooperation to the investigations into the incident which continue.”

Norgas Carriers will issue another statement once there are developments.