Tokyo, Dhu-AlQa'dah 29, 1438, August 21, 2017, SPA -- A US guided-missile destroyer collided early Monday with a merchant vessel while en route to Singapore, the US Navy said, according to dpa. The USS John S McCain received damage to its port side in the collision, which occurred about 6:24 am (2124 GMT Sunday) east of Singapore, the Navy said. The destroyer collided with the Alnic MC, the Navy said. The Alnic is listed as an oil or chemical tanker under the Liberian flag, according to MarineTraffic.com. The news comes just days after the commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief of the destroyer USS Fitzgerald were relieved of their duties, following a deadly June collision that the US Navy called "avoidable." The 8,315-ton USS Fitzgerald collided on June 17 with the Philippine-flagged ACX Crystal, leaving seven US sailors dead. --SPA 03:54 LOCAL TIME 00:54 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w470185