Malaysia's state-owned Petronas on Friday sent a team to contain an oil spill off the port of Kertih in eastern Terengganu state.

The company said in a statement that the leak occurred late Thursday when a tanker located about one kilometre (0.6 miles) offshore was being loaded, adding that about 50 barrels were spilled.

Containment and clean-up operations were underway, Petronas said, adding that a team was on standby should the spill reach the shore.