KUALA LUMPUR - Ships plying the narrow Malacca Straits are advised to be o­n a lookout for dozens of floating containers that fell into the sea after two ships collided off Malaysia's southern Johor coast, an official said today.

"The containers are a hazard to ships and they are scattered over a wide area from Kukup to Pulau Pisang," a Marine department official told AFP o­n condition of anonymity.

If a ship hits the containers, it could puncture a hole in the hull and may cause the ship to sink," another maritime official said.

The official said two marine boats have been deployed to search for the containers.

Collision at sea

The Sanko Robust , a Libyan cargo ship registered at Monrovia port, and the Tirta Mas , a semi-container registered in Jakarta collided Wednesday night near Kukup island.

The Tirta Mas sank. The Santo Robust suffered technical problems and was directed to dock at Kukup for further investigations.

The officer said some 30 containers have been plucked from the sea.

All 20 sailors o­n board Tirta Mas were rescued by marine police and were brought to Kukup. No injuries or loss of lives were reported.

The offical said an investigations into the incident was in progress and the actual cause of the collision remained unknown.

Some 600 ships including oil tankers and container vessels pass through the busy Malacca Straits, separating Indonesia from Malaysia daily. - AFP