Burned tanker towed to Belawan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Tanker ship MT Permaisuri which caught fire in the Malacca Straits, was towed yesterday by a Singapore ship to the port of Belawan, Medan.

The port's administrator, Barjuweh, said the tanker's agent, Sumatra Indah Raya, had asked for the tanker to be towed in.

The tanker was carrying 2,200 tons of cooking oil when it caught fire Monday en route from Belawan to Tanjung Priok harbor, Jakarta.

The ship, under Capt. Zulhelmi, caught fire when it was about 150 nautical miles from Belawan, Antara reported.

All 16 crew members were able to jump into the sea and were picked up by passing ships. There were no casualties.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. (mds)