A Hong Kong-flagged tanker identified as Brightoil Lucky has been involved in a collision earlier today with a Chinese fishing vessel Lurong Yuanyu 378 off Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan, Agence France-Presse reports citing the Japanese Coast Guard.
A search and rescue operation has been launched for 12 crew members of the fishing vessel that have been reported missing following the incident as their vessel sank, the Coast Guard informed later on Thursday.
The remaining four crew members of the fishing boat are reported to have been rescued.
The crew members of the Hong Kong-flagged Aframax tanker comprising 21 seafarers are said to be safe.
The 114,999 DWT tanker is listed as part of Brightoil Shipping’s fleet, built in 2009 by Korea’s Hanjin Heavy Industries.
World Maritime News Staff