Two laden Capesize bulk carriers collided in the Singapore Strait early Wednesday morning when the 180,000-dwt Cape XL, departing the Changi Bay anchorage after taking on bunkers, struck the eastbound Huge Kumano amidships on her port side. The two vessels then drifted together through the traffic separation scheme locked at the bow before being separated and brought to anchor nearby.

The Cape XL (IMO 9590826) had been anchored off Singapore since 1530 hours on May 19 and got under way again at around 0600 hours on May 20, heading south toward the shipping lanes. At the same time, the Huge Kumano (IMO 9889277) was passing eastbound through the strait at nine knots within the eastbound TSS lane. The Cape XL approached from the north at about six knots when her bow struck the Huge Kumano amidships on the port side.

Both ships were in laden condition — the Cape XL carrying bauxite from Boke, Guinea bound for Qingdao, China, and the Huge Kumano carrying iron ore. No pollution or injuries have been reported. As of Wednesday, the Huge Kumano was anchored in the separation zone in the middle of the strait, attended by two tugs.

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