The damage was quite minor to both vessels".
No lives were lost, but both vessels were badly damaged.
The crew and staff members on both vessels will be English speaking.
It said both vessels eventually "manoeuvred to ensure safe passage" after discussions between officers on board.
Both vessels are accessible and its permanent crew is supplemented by 40 trainees, many of whom may have disabilities.
After exchanging warning signals, both vessels initiated evasion maneuvers but ultimately collided.
The agency said both vessels were anchored and neither appeared in danger of sinking.
Both vessels can operate with some ice in the river, as long as their passage remains open, New York Waterway officials say.
Both vessels were heading in the same direction when the collision occurred in the narrow strait and were subsequently heading to port for repairs, the spokesman said.
Each freighter has an outdoor swimming pool and a passenger lounge with television and VCR, and meals on both vessels are taken with officers in the dining room.
The port authority said that none of the oil had reached Singapore or surrounding islands, and that both vessels were stable.
