In a significant legal development, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has charged two individuals in connection with a fatal incident that occurred on July 19, 2024, involving the Hafnia Nile and the tanker Ceres I. The two charged are navigational officer Wickramage Viraj Amila Shavinda Perera from Sri Lanka, 40, and lookout Soosai Anthony Vainer from India, 35. They face charges under the Merchant Shipping Act, which could lead to up to two years in prison and substantial fines if they are convicted.
The incident unfolded when the Hafnia Nile, a laden vessel registered in Singapore, collided with the Ceres I, a shadow tanker flying the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, which was at anchor and reportedly empty. This collision occurred approximately 35 miles northeast of Pedra Branca, resulting in severe damage to both vessels and a fire that engulfed them. During the chaos, the crew of the Hafnia Nile was evacuated, but tragically, one crew member from the Ceres I lost their life, and another sustained serious injuries.
At the time of the incident, there was heightened attention on the Ceres I, especially after Malaysian authorities initially accused it of attempting to flee before recanting, noting it was drifting to mitigate the fire. Following the incident, the Ceres I was detained and towed back to port.
The Maritime and Port Authority’s investigation alleges that the Hafnia Nile’s crew failed to maintain proper watch and situational awareness, which were contributing factors in leading to the collision. Perera, the officer of the watch, is accused of not ensuring adequate situational awareness and failing to carry out a thorough risk assessment of the navigational conditions. Vainer, the lookout, is charged with failing to alert the officer of the impending danger, despite noticing the Hafnia Nile was approaching the Ceres I closely. Additionally, he is accused of altering the course of the vessel without explicit instruction from the officer.
Hafnia Express has confirmed that the two crew members are cooperating with the ongoing investigation and have legal representation. While acknowledging the gravity of the incident, the company has refrained from further comment, citing that the court proceedings and investigations are still in progress.
As for the vessels involved, the Hafnia Nile, built in 2017, has been salvaged but taken out of service, and it appears to have been renamed Hafnia Shannon. The Ceres I was released after the incident, with its last known position reported near Nigeria, indicating it continues to operate as a shadow fleet vessel under uncertain flagging.
Upcoming court hearings for the two crew members have been scheduled for July 23 and July 30, respectively. The potential ramifications of the charges underline the critical importance of maritime safety and adherence to navigational protocols to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
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