The US Navy is warning warship commanders there will be a pause in operations after a collision between a destroyer and a tanker left 10 sailors missing.

The incident saw the USS John S McCain collide with an oil tanker during a visit to Singapore.

The ship suffered damage to its side after hitting the Alnic MC at 5.24am on Monday, but sailed under its own power and arrived at Changi naval base with a large hole torn in its hull.

It is the second collision in three months.

The chief of the US Navy, Admiral John Richardson, said there was no indication the collision was intentional but the examination would include a full spectrum analysis of the vessel's cybersecurity.


He added: "I have directed an operational pause be taken in all of our fleets around the world."

The pauses are not expected to last more than one or two days.

Cindy & I are keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight - appreciate the work of search & rescue crews https://t.co/jzk9giXbfg — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 21, 2017

As the USS John S McCain was escorted to shore by two other vessels, the Navy said: "Significant damage to the hull resulted in flooding to nearby compartments, including crew berthing, machinery and communications rooms. Damage control efforts by the crew halted further flooding."

Five sailors were also injured and four were airlifted to hospital for treatment.

A search-and-rescue mission was launched for the missing sailors involving Singaporean ships, helicopters and tug boats, as well as Navy aircraft.

Neighbouring Malaysia has also deployed eight ships.

:: Bodies of missing US Navy sailors found after collision

Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway. https://t.co/DQU0zTRXNU — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2017

In June, seven sailors died when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship hit each other in waters off Japan.

The Fitzgerald's captain was relieved of command and other sailors face penalties after officials found poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch contributed to the collision.

An investigation into how and why the Fitzgerald collided with the other ship is ongoing, but enough details were known to take those actions, the Navy said.

Image: The USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel in June

The ship involved in the latest incident, the Alnic MC, is a Liberian-flagged, 183-metre-long oil tanker of 49,958 tons, according to shipping data in Thomson Reuters Eikon.

It is just under 25% bigger than Britain's biggest ever warship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The tanker was carrying around 11,810 tons of oil from Taiwan, destined for Singapore. There have been no reports of an oil spill.

President Donald Trump tweeted: "Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."