Chinese cargo vessel adrift off W. Philippines

A Chinese bulk carrier is drifting off Sulu Sea in western Philippine province of Palawan after encountering engine trouble, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Wednesday.

PCG Action Center in Manila said that Coast Guard in Palawan received an urgent call at around 1:00 p.m. Monday that M/V Tan An Ha, a Panamanian-registered cargo vessel owned by Tan Ai Shipping based in China's Fujian province, was on distressed situation after its main engine conked out while sailing southwest of Sulu Sea.

The cargo vessel came from Singapore and supposedly on its way to Tagbilaran Port in central Philippine province of Bohol to deliver 5,900 tons of limestone when the incident happened, said Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, PCG Palawan district commander.