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2024 Manila Bay oil spill

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On July 25, 2024, the Philippine-flagged industrial fuel tanker MT Terranova[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 Terranova
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; 3 months ago (2024-07-25)
Cause
CauseSinking of MT Terranova
Casualties1 death
Spill characteristics
VolumeUp to 1,454 metric tons (1,431 long tons; 1,603 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]

Sinkings

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Terranova

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At 1:10 am (UTC+8) on July 25, 2024, the Terranova 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][4] Sixteen of the crew members were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Melchora Aquino[5] while one died.[3] His body was recovered in waters off the shore of Limay.[2]

The oil tanker was destined for Iloilo in the central Philippines, with seventeen crew members on board the ship.[2][6] Information from the LSEG Eikon indicated that the ship could carry 1,415 tons of deadweight tonnage.[3]

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 crewmen 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] The vessel was believed to have run aground on July 23 after sailing from Navotas without authorization from the PCG.[14]

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 (PhilSA), citing satellite images, estimated that the spill could reach an area of around 14.4 square kilometers.[15] On July 26, the PCG assessed that the oil slick had reached two kilometers in length.[16] The mayor of Limay said that 400 to 500 liters of oil from the ship's fuel tank had leaked out.[17] By July 30, the PSA estimated that the oil spill covered an area of around 93.74 square kilometers in Manila Bay.[18]

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.[19] Traces of the spill were discovered in Bulacan, particularly in Hagonoy,[20] and Cavite, particularly in Cavite City, Maragondon, Naic, Tanza and Ternate.[21][22]

On July 30, Bataan Governor Joet Garcia imposed a no-fishing zone on Limay,[23] later adding that about 14,000 people working in the province's fishing industry would be affected by the oil spill.[24] 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.[25][26] 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.[27] A ban on catching shellfish was also declared in Cavite, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that fish samples taken from parts of the province before the appearance of oil slicks had already tested positive for petrochemicals.[28] The BFAR lifted its warnings against consuming seafood from affected areas, except for those caught in Cavite, on August 13.[29]

A state of calamity was also declared in Bataan on August 6.[30] 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.[31] The Department of Agriculture estimated that total damages to fishing had reached P78.69 million, directly affecting 28,373 people.[32]

On August 1, the oil spill reached the coast of Manila, where it was visible from Roxas Boulevard.[33]

Response

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Staff of the Japan Coast Guard holds an online meeting with the Philippine Coast Guard, the United States Coast Guard and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on August 7 regarding the oil spill.

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.[34] Environment secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga deployed the survey vessel BRP Hydrographer Presbitero to conduct ecosystems mapping of areas affected by the oil spill.[35]

The PCG started using floating barriers and siphoning using water buckets to clean up the oil slick.[36] Booms, including those made from coconut husks,[37] and dispersants were also used after divers found the cargo was leaking from the valves.[38] The PCG estimated that siphoning of the cargo would take a week.[39] 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.[40] The PCG further reported that Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. had been selected to salvage the vessel[41] and that its divers had managed to seal the valves.[42] The PCG added that the siphoned IFOs will be transferred to Terranova' sister ship the MT Helena Marie.[43]

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.[44] The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) estimated that around 4,700 hectares of critical ecosystems and 44 sites linked to the Asian Waterbird Census could be affected within a 30-kilometer radius of where the Terranova sank.[45]

On August 1, the PCG began removing oil from the MV Mirola 1[10] and formally seized the vessel on August 16.[46] On August 1, 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.[47] The recovery of the oil finally began on August 13.[48]

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.[49] On August 10, the PCG began removing oil from the MTKR Jason Bradley,[50] which was partially refloated on August 12.[51] The Mirola 1 was completely refloated on August 22[52] and was towed to a shipyard in Mariveles for repairs the next day.[53] Salvage operations at the Terranova were suspended in early September due to the effects of Tropical Storm Enteng (Yagi)[54] and resumed on September 7,[55] with its conclusion expected on September 10.[56]

On August 28, President Marcos announced that fishing in Cavite could resume.[57]

On September 12, the contracted salvor, Harbor Star, reported they recovered 1,415,954 liters of oil and an additional 17,725 kilograms of solid oily waste as part of the variance volume representing a recovery rate of 97.43%. The remaining 37,867 liters, accounting for 2.57% of the total oil cargo, were lost due to various factors such as biodegradation, dissipation, absorption by sorbent booms, and unpumpable sludge left in the tanks.[58]

On September 26, the Jason Bradley was refloated,[59] and towed to a dockyard in Orion, Bataan.[60]

Investigation

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) 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.[61] The DOJ subsequently said that both the Jason Bradley and Mirola 1 had not been cleared by the PCG to sail, adding that the latter vessel was unregistered.[62] Records from the Bureau of Customs also showed that the Jason Bradley was the subject of a seizure and detention warrant in 2022 for failing fuel marking tests and inability to provide evidence of payment of duties and taxes.[63] An investigation into the disaster was begun by the Senate on August 14.[64]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Also spelled Terra Nova

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. Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
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  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  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.
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  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
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  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "BFAR: Fish from oil spill-affected areas, except Cavite, now safe to eat". GMA News. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  30. ^ "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.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ Gozum, Iya (August 8, 2024). "Fisherfolk income loss due to Bataan oil spill now at P78 million – DA". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  33. ^ Tan, Maria (August 1, 2024). "LOOK: Oil spill from MTKR Terranova reaches Manila Bay". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  34. ^ "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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ Annabelle Liang (July 26, 2024). "Philippines 'prepares for worst' after oil spill". BBC. Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ "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.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ Gozum, Iya (August 14, 2024). "DENR: Over 500 hectares of mangroves in Manila Bay may be affected by oil spill". Rappler. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  46. ^ Rita, Joviland (August 16, 2024). "PCG takes MV Mirola 1 into custody, summons owner". GMA News. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ Rita, Joviland (August 13, 2024). "MTKR Terranova oil spill siphoning underway —PCG". GMA News. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  49. ^ "PCG: Oil sheen from MTKR Terranova contained". ABS-CBN. August 5, 2024. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  50. ^ Casucian, Jiselle Anne (August 10, 2024). "Siphoning for MTKR Jason Bradley oil leakage begins". GMA News. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  51. ^ Macairan, Evelyn (August 13, 2024). "Sunken motor tanker partially afloat – PCG". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  52. ^ Rita, Joviland (August 22, 2024). "PCG: Grounded MV Mirola 1 floated, to be towed to safer area". GMA News. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  53. ^ Rita, Joviland (August 23, 2024). "MV Mirola 1 successfully towed, moored at Bataan shipyard — PCG". GMA News. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  54. ^ "Oil siphoning from Terra Nova stopped due to Enteng". The Philippine Star. September 2, 2024. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  55. ^ "PCG resumes Terra Nova siphoning operation". The Philippine Star. September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  56. ^ "MKTR Terranova oil siphoning to end Tuesday; over 1.3M liters of waste collected". GMA News. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  57. ^ Gozum, Iya (August 29, 2024). "A month into Bataan oil spill, Marcos says Cavite fishers may resume fishing". Rappler. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  58. ^ https://www.facebook.com/coastguardph
  59. ^ "Sunken MTKR Jason Bradley in Bataan refloated —PCG". GMA News. September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  60. ^ "MTKR Jason Bradley towed to dockyard in Orion, Bataan". GMA News. September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  61. ^ Datu, Dennis (August 5, 2024). "MTKR Terranova owner says not engaged in illegal activities". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  62. ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei (August 13, 2024). "Tankers in Bataan oil spill probed for smuggling". GMA News. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  63. ^ "Seizure order issued vs. MTKR Jason Bradley in April 2022, BOC document shows". GMA News. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  64. ^ "Senate panel subpoenas MTKR Jason Bradley, MV Mirola 1 owners". GMA News. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
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