S'pore deeply concerned over S'pore-flagged tanker shooting

SINGAPORE is deeply concerned with regard to the reported shooting incident involving Singapore-registered tanker Alpine Eternity that took place in international waters on May 14, 2015, the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a statement on Monday.

MPA has requested the Iranian maritime authorities to investigate the incident and prevent future recurrences.

"The freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce are of critical importance to Singapore and other maritime and trading nations. Such interference with navigational rights is a serious violation of international law," said MPA.

On March 22, 2015, Alpine Eternity reportedly collided with an oil platform located in the Persian Gulf. The next day, the ship manager, Transpetrol Ship Management, had reported the incident to MPA, the Authority said.

"As the Flag Administration of Alpine Eternity, MPA had immediately commenced a marine safety investigation into the incident in accordance with the International Maritime Organisation's Casualty Investigation Code, and the investigation is still in progress," MPA added.