The Officer of the Bridge and other watches should have literally seen that massive tanker coming a mile away.
Lookouts at night were reduced from 3 ( forward port,starboard) to one at the bridge to reduce manpower requirements. The Navy has a problem. You can get too lean.
Still the Captain is supposed to think. If you are in some of the busiest waters in the world, post an extra lookout or two. And maybe have your best OOD and Engineer on duty until you clear the waterway. Or better yet time your transit for daylight hours so you can see the moving islands.