Ferry and Oil Tanker Collide Near Penang, Injuring 21

A collision between a ferry and an oil tanker near Penang Port in Malaysia on Tuesday night, September 1, left 21 people injured.

The incident took place at approximately 8:40 p.m. local time and involved the Malaysian-flagged oil tanker Mekar Jaya and Malaysian-flagged ferry Teluk Bahang.

At the time of the collision, Mekar Jaya was reportedly traveling from the Butterworth Deep Water Wharves (BDWW) toward the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT). The Teluk Bahang, meanwhile, was heading for the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.

Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) received an emergency call at around 9:58 p.m. JBPM teams and other rescue agencies subsequently attended the scene and evacuated passengers.

According to JBPM, a total of 92 people, including passengers, were involved in the incident. Twenty-one people sustained injuries, six of whom were reported to have been seriously injured. All those requiring medical attention were transported to hospital for treatment.

Despite the collision, ferry services resumed as normal and operations were not disrupted.

The Penang Port Commission (PPC) quickly ordered the establishment of a special task force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. The team will include PPC personnel as well as representatives from the ferry operator. The ferry company was also instructed to examine its operating procedures to establish whether any safety failures may have contributed to the collision.

Authorities have yet to confirm the extent of the damage to the Teluk Bahang or the vessel’s current condition.