Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- The Philippines’ Maritime Industry Authority ordered the immediate suspension of Aboitiz Transport System Corp.’s fleet after one of its vessels sank south of the country yesterday.

Nine people are confirmed dead while two are still missing, the Philippine coast guard said on its Web site today. Most of the more than 900 passengers and crew aboard Superferry 9 have been rescued, it said.

The ferry foundered after sending a distress signal at about 3:30 a.m. yesterday that it had listed to one side in the vicinity of the Zamboanga Peninsula while bound for the central province of Iloilo from General Santos City in the south, the coast guard said yesterday. On board the vessel were 968 passengers, crew members and sea marshals.

The Maritime Industry Authority will conduct a re- inspection and audit of Aboitiz Transport’s 10 vessels “to ensure their seaworthiness and the competence of their officers and crews,” Administrator Elena Bautista said today. During the inspection, the vessels will cease operations until further notice, she said in a mobile phone text-message.

The coast guard and Aboitiz Transport are working to prevent about 250 metric tons of oil from spilling. Aboitiz hired a Harbor Star tugboat to help contain any leaks and assist the coast guard’s two oil-spill response and motoring vessels sent to the scene, the coast guard said.

The fuel and lubricating oil is likely to stay within the vessel’s fuel tanks, Manila-based Aboitiz said yesterday, citing consultations with experts from Shell Philippines.

To contact the reporter of this story: Cecilia Yap at cyap19@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: September 7, 2009 07:10 EDT