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2024 Manila Bay oil spill

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On July 25, 2024, the Philippine-flagged industrial fuel tanker MT Terra Nova[a] (IMO number: 9092666) capsized and sank in Manila Bay, off the east coast of Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan, causing an ongoing oil spill. The tanker was carrying nearly 1.5 million liters (400 thousand U.S. gallons) of industrial oil. Initially, its engine oil leaked into the sea; after a while, the cargo began spilling into the bay following the sinking.[1][2] Over the succeeding days, oil spills were also reported from two other vessels that sunk nearby.

2024 Manila Bay oil spill
Shipwreck of MT Terra Nova
Map
LocationManila Bay, 7 km off the coast of Limay, Bataan, Philippines
Coordinates14°33′52″N 120°42′09″E / 14.5645662°N 120.7026136°E / 14.5645662; 120.7026136
DateJuly 25, 2024; 14 days ago (2024-07-25)
Cause
CauseSinking of MT Terra Nova
Casualties1 death
Spill characteristics
VolumeUp to 1,494 metric tons (1,470 long tons; 1,647 short tons)
Area93.74 square kilometers (36.19 sq mi)

Background

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The Philippines was struck by heavy rainfall and strong winds caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Gaemi (locally called Carina) in late July 2024.[1] Information from the LSEG Eikon indicated that the ship could carry 1,415 tons of deadweight tonnage.[3] The oil tanker was destined for Iloilo in the central Philippines, with seventeen crew members on board the ship.[2][4]

Sinkings

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Terra Nova

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At 1:10 am (UTC+8) on July 25, 2024, the Terra Nova capsized and sank in 34-meter-deep (112 ft) waters 3.6 nautical miles (6.7 km) off the coast of Limay in the province of Bataan.[3][5] Sixteen of the crew members were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Melchora Aquino[6] while one died.[3] His body was recovered in waters off the shore of Limay.[2]

Jason Bradley

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On July 27, the motor tanker MTKR Jason Bradley, carrying 5,500 liters of diesel fuel (although it was initially believed that this had already been emptied) sank in 9-meter-deep (30 ft) waters 600 yards off the coast of Barangay Cabcaben in the neighboring municipality of Mariveles. Its six crewman were rescued by another vessel. The PCG was able to seal leaks coming from the vessel[7] and initiated removal of the diesel cargo with the help of a salvor,[8] with operations expected to last for two weeks.[9]

Mirola 1

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On July 31, MV Mirola 1, carrying two drums of heavy fuel oil and 3,000 liters of diesel, was found abandoned, ran aground, and tilted to one side in the Five Fingers area of Sitio Quiapo, Barangay Biaan in Mariveles adjacent to the South China Sea,[10][11] with diesel fuel leaking into the water from tanks inside the ship.[12][13]

Impact

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Aerial view showing the extent of the oil spill

Reports from the PCG on July 25, 2024, reported that the size of the "enormous" oil spill had spread out over "several" kilometers and was at risk of making landfall on the coast of Manila. PCG spokesperson Armando Balilo stated that the oil spill had a significant risk of impacting the livelihoods of local fishermen by damaging the marine environment of Manila Bay. He noted that the oil spill could grow into the largest in Philippine history if the entire 1.494 million liters of oil were to disperse into the bay.[1] The Philippine Space Agency (PSA), citing satellite images, estimated that the spill could reach an area of around 14.4 square kilometers.[14] On July 26, the PCG assessed that the oil slick had reached two kilometers in length.[15] The mayor of Limay said that 400 to 500 liters of oil from the ship's fuel tank had leaked out.[16] By July 30, the PSA estimated that the oil spill covered an area of around 93.74 square kilometers in Manila Bay.[17]

Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista reported that the tanker was carrying roughly 1,494 metric tons of industrial fuel at the time of its sinking. The oil spill spread quickly due to strong waves extending the area of the spill rapidly.[2]

On July 27, the PCG reported that the ship's industrial fuel cargo began to leak, contributing to the oil spill caused by diesel fuel spilling from the vessel's fuel tank. As a result, the amount of oil spilled tripled from the initial leak on July 25, with the surface oil slick extending between 12 to 14 kilometers (7.5 to 8.7 miles). In response, the PCG issued a ban on fishing in Manila Bay.[18] Traces of the spill were discovered in Bulacan, particularly in Hagonoy,[19] and Cavite, particularly in Cavite City, Maragondon, Naic, Tanza and Ternate.[20][21]

On July 30, Bataan Governor Joet Garcia imposed a no-fishing zone on Limay,[22] later adding that about 14,000 people working in the province's fishing industry would be affected by the oil spill.[23] On that date, satellite imaging from the PSA determined that the visible surface area of the oil spill had grown to about 93.74 km2 (36.19 square miles), covering about 4.7% of Manila Bay's 1,994 km2 (769.9 sq mi) surface area.[24][25] On July 31, a state of calamity was declared in the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate and the city of Bacoor in Cavite by Governor Jonvic Remulla.[26] A ban on catching shellfish was also declared in Cavite, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said that fish samples taken from parts of the province before the appearance of oil slicks had already tested positive for petrochemicals.[27] A state of calamity was also declared in Bataan on August 6.[28] Authorities estimated that around 350,000 people, including around 25,000 working in the fishing industry, were affected by the oil spill in Cavite, while daily economic losses in the province was estimated at nearly P18 million.[29] The Department of Agriculture estimated that total damages to fishing had reached P78.69 million, directly affecting 28,373 people.[30]

On August 1, the oil spill reached the coast of Manila, where it was visible from Roxas Boulevard.[31]

Response

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The PCG dispatched a 97-meter long coast guard ship to prevent further spillage, while several smaller ships were put on standby until weather conditions stabilized enough.[2] President Bongbong Marcos also conducted an aerial survey of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Bataan to assess the effects of the oil spill.[32] Environment secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga deployed the survey vessel BRP Hydrographer Presbitero to conduct ecosystems mapping of areas affected by the oil spill.[33]

The PCG started using floating barriers and siphoning using water buckets to clean up the oil slick.[34] Booms, including those made from coconut husks,[35] and dispersants were also used after divers found the cargo was leaking from the valves.[36] The PCG estimated that siphoning of the cargo would take a week.[37] The PCG ordered the sealing of nine leaking valves before the start of the siphoning on July 30. By July 29, 14 of its 24 tank valves from its eight compartments had been sealed.[38] The PCG further reported that Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. had been selected to salvage the vessel[39] and that its divers had managed to seal the valves.[40] The PCG added that the siphoned IFOs will be transferred to Terranova' sister ship the MT Helena Marie.[41]

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also appealed for hay, hair and coconut coir pith donations to process into oil booms as absorbent. It also reported not only air and water contamination, but damage to coral reefs and mangrove areas.[42]

On August 1, the PCG began removing oil from the MV Mirola 1.[10] That same day, the PCG also announced the postponement of oil siphoning from the Terranova for about two weeks, citing the need to replace the initial capping bags on the valves of the vessel with metal ones to prevent more discharges during the actual removal.[43] On August 5, the PCG said that the oil sheen from the Terranova had been contained, while 790 liters of oil-water mixture and five sacks of contaminated oil debris had been recovered from the Mirola 1.[44]

Investigation

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The Department of Justice and the DILG said that the three sunken vessels may have been involved in oil smuggling, which the Terranova's owner, Portavaga Ship Management Inc., denied.[45]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Also spelled Terranova

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Philippines: Industrial fuel tanker capsizes, causing oil spill". BBC News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Flores, Mikhail; Jerome Morales, Neil (July 25, 2024). "Oil spill threatens Philippines capital after tanker capsizes". Reuters. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Philippines in 'race against time' as oil tanker capsizes off Manila". Al Jazeera. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  4. ^ Moaje, Marita (July 26, 2024). "PCG braces for Bataan oil spill reaching Manila Bay". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "PhilSA releases map showing possible extent of Bataan oil spill". GMA News. July 26, 2024. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Gomez, Jim (July 25, 2024). "Philippine oil tanker sinks in Manila Bay, raising fears of a possible major spill near the capital". Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  7. ^ "PCG finds diesel cargo in sunken MTKR Jason Bradley". Rappler. July 28, 2024. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Loreto, Russel (July 29, 2024). "Another fuel tanker sinks in Manila Bay". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "Salvage of sunken tanker Jason Bradley off Mariveles might take two weeks". GMA News. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Iya, Chito (August 1, 2024). "Coast Guard starts oil recovery operations for MV Mirola 1". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "PCG identifies owner of 'abandoned' vessel in Mariveles, Bataan". ABS-CBN. August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Third vessel found leaking hazardous material off Bataan". GMA News. July 31, 2024. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  13. ^ "Another oil spill off the coast of Mariveles, Bataan; crew members of ship nowhere to be found". ABS-CBN. July 31, 2024. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  14. ^ "PH Space Agency releases map of possible oil spill extent in Manila Bay". ABS-CBN. July 27, 2024. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  15. ^ Marita Moaje (July 26, 2024). "PCG braces for Bataan oil spill reaching Manila Bay". www.pna.gov.ph. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  16. ^ "Owner of MT Terranova taps Harbor Star to salvage tanker, help in oil spill cleanup". Rappler. July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  17. ^ Regani, Jose Cielito (July 30, 2024). "Romualdez to colleagues: Help fisherfolk affected by oil spill". Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "Philippine Coast Guard Says Oil Leaking From Sunken Tanker". Barron's. July 27, 2024. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "Philippines delays recovery of sunken tanker's oil". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. July 28, 2024. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Mangaluz, Jean (July 29, 2024). "Bataan oil spill may have reached Cavite already". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  21. ^ "Oil spill off Bataan to affect parts of Cavite — Jonvic Remulla". GMA News. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  22. ^ Gozum, Iya (July 30, 2024). "Fishing banned in Limay, Bataan due to oil spill". Rappler. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  23. ^ Gozum, Iya (August 2, 2024). "First came the rain. Then the oil spill". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  24. ^ Cielito Reganit, Jose (July 30, 2024). "Romualdez to colleagues: Help fisherfolk affected by oil spill". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  25. ^ Jacinto, G.S., Velasquez, I.B., San Diego-McGlone, M.L., Villanoy, C.L. and Siringan, F.B.(2006)."Biophysical Environment of Manila Bay - Then and Now", in Wolanski, E.(ed.)The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours. Springer: Dordrecht, Netherlands. p. 293-307.
  26. ^ Rita, Joviland (July 31, 2024). "State of calamity declared in 8 Cavite towns due to oil spill". GMA News. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  27. ^ "Fish from waters affected by Bataan oil spill not safe for human consumption – BFAR". GMA News. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  28. ^ "Bataan placed under state of calamity anew due to oil spills". GMA News. August 6, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  29. ^ "OCD: Oil spill affects over 350K people in Cavite; nearly P18M income lost daily". GMA News. August 2, 2024. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  30. ^ Gozum, Iya (August 8, 2024). "Fisherfolk income loss due to Bataan oil spill now at P78 million – DA". Rappler. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  31. ^ Tan, Maria (August 1, 2024). "LOOK: Oil spill from MTKR Terranova reaches Manila Bay". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  32. ^ "Marcos leads aerial inspection of Bataan oil spill, Carina aftermath". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. July 27, 2024. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  33. ^ Miguel, Janine (July 27, 2024). "Race on to contain Bataan oil spill". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  34. ^ Annabelle Liang (July 26, 2024). "Philippines 'prepares for worst' after oil spill". BBC. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  35. ^ Argosino, Faith (July 29, 2024). "PH Coast Guard battles Bataan oil spill mess with coconut husk boom". Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  36. ^ "Philippine coast guard says oil leaking from sunken tanker". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. July 27, 2024. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  37. ^ Gomez, Jim (July 25, 2024). "Philippine oil tanker sinks in Manila Bay, raising fears of a possible major spill near the capital". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  38. ^ "PCG: MT Terranova oil leak 'minimal' as 14 of 24 valves sealed". GMA Integrated News. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  39. ^ "Harbor Star tapped for oil spill response in Bataan". portcalls.com. July 26, 2024. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  40. ^ Ombay, Gisselle (July 28, 2024). "PCG confirms industrial fuel oil leak from sunken tanker". GMA Integrated News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  41. ^ FMangosing, Frances (July 30, 2024). "Oil spill reaches Cavite; PCG seals ship's valves". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  42. ^ Chavez, Chito (July 30, 2024). "Donate hair, coconut husks to contain oil spill, DILG urges public". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  43. ^ Rita, Joviland (August 1, 2024). "PCG: MTKR Terranova siphoning moved to 'not later than 2 weeks'". GMA News. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  44. ^ "PCG: Oil sheen from MTKR Terranova contained". ABS-CBN. August 5, 2024. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  45. ^ Datu, Dennis (August 5, 2024). "MTKR Terranova owner says not engaged in illegal activities". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
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