Owner told to refloat ship

BATAM, Riau: The cargo ship MV Hyundai, which sank off Batam island, should be removed from the water as it was a danger to other vessels, the Batam port authority said on Thursday.

The ship has remained in water near the industrial island since it capsized on May 22. It was carrying some 4,000 cars and 990 tons of fuel.

Batam port authorities urged the ship's owner to raise the wreck as it could endanger other large vessels sailing through the 40-meter deep waters near Singapore.

Shipping authorities and PT Salvindo were still pumping fuel from the ship into a tanker belonging to state oil firm Pertamina. --JP