The accident happened at about 2.30pm on February 9, when Pireas (right) was on its way to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelapas in Johor when it collided with Polaris, which was anchored. (Photo: Singapore police force)Hanoi (VNA) - Singapore's Foreign Ministry on February 10 said Malaysiashould withdraw its ships from disputed waters as they pose a risk tonavigation safety at the city-state's port.
Thewarning came after a Malaysian vessel that had been involved in their borderdispute at sea collided with a Greek bulk carrier on February 9.
Theministry said the incident took place "in an area that goes beyondMalaysia's territorial claim of 1979, which Singapore has neverrecognized."
Thepresence of the Malaysia vessels clearly poses a threat to safety of navigationin the area, it said.
Earlieron February 9, Malaysia’s Polaris ship, which had been anchored in waters thatSingapore claims to be within its Tuas port limit, collided withGreece-registered bulk carrier Piraeus.
Piraeuswas on its way from Singapore to its next port of call at Malaysia's Tanjung Pelepasport in southern Johor state when the collision took place.
Malaysia'sForeign Ministry said in a recent statement that the incident happened inMalaysian territorial waters, adding that there has been no report of anyinjury or oil spill arising from the collision but Malaysia's Marine Departmenthas detained the Greek vessel and crew for preliminary inquiry.
Singaporeand Malaysia have been embroiled in a bilateral dispute over airspace and seaboundaries that flared up late last year but their foreign ministers had agreedin talks last month to take steps to ease bilateral tensions.-VNA
VNA
