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Oil spill off coast of Japan after product tanker collision

Oil spill off coast of Japan after product tanker collision
Local media reported a collision between two Japanese product tankers about 2nm off the coast near the port of Kehin in Kanagawa prefecture have left one of them in danger of sinking and spilling oil.

An oil spill has been reported following the incident on Sunday, which saw the 1990-built 465 dwt Keihin Maru 8 collide with the 5,025 dwt Eastern Phoenix resulting in the smaller vessel sustaining serious damage with its fore port breached, causing flooding and partial sinking.

The Japanese-flagged Keihin Maru 8 reportedly had around 300mt of bunkers onboard at the time of the incident.

The Eastern Phoenix reportedly sustained only slight damage and remained afloat without water ingress. Meanwhile all crew have been evacuated from the Keihin Maru 8 although there were no reports of injuries.

Salvage operations are reportedly underway with oil booms around the stricken vessel and two rescue vessel performing water cleansing. An investigation into the incident is under way.