This is the heart-stopping moment a giant oil tanker ship crashed into a ferry packed full of passengers in the Singapore Strait.

The MV Horizon 9 was carrying locals from Batam, Indonesia, across the world's busiest shipping channel to reach the wealthy former British outpost.

But as it was steering through the calm sea, the 600ft LA Digue chemical tanker roared towards them from the west on Monday afternoon.

Footage shows terrified passengers screaming and swearing as the ferry slammed into the starboard side of the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker.

They clung to each other as the impact from the double-hull Panamax-size vessel - holding some 50,000 tonnes of fuel - shook the smaller passenger boat.

Shocked traveller Tedi Arfandos said: 'In my life, I've never experienced such a tense atmosphere as today.'

Officials said all 165 passengers and crew from both ships were later evacuated to Harbour Front terminal in Singapore with no injuries or casualties reported.

Adi Rifa'i, head of the Batam Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), said the MV Horizon 9 had left Batam at 3:30 pm Indonesian time, adding it suffered damage to its bow from the crash.

He said: 'It's true that there was an accident on the ferry from Batam to Singapore. All passengers are declared safe. There were no fatalities or injuries.'

The Batam KSOP said it was coordinating with Singaporean maritime officials to investigate the accident and assess potential environmental damage.