- Philippine oil tanker Terra Nova sank in Manila Bay after encountering severe waves.
- Coast Guard is assessing potential oil leak and preparing for possible environmental impacts.
- Previous oil spill in the Philippines took months to contain and caused extensive environmental damage.
A Philippine oil tanker, the Terra Nova, sank in Manila Bay early Thursday after being struck by massive waves. The vessel, carrying approximately 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, encountered difficulties steering and eventually went down in the rough waters.
An aerial survey has revealed a spill approximately 3.7 kilometers long near the sinking site. The Coast Guard is concerned that this could lead to a major environmental disaster affecting Manila Bay.
Concerns Mount Over Potential Major Oil Spill from Sunken Tanker in Manila Bay
The sinking of the Terra Nova has prompted urgent action from the Philippine Coast Guard as they assess the potential for a major oil spill in Manila Bay. The tanker, which sank early Thursday morning, was laden with a large quantity of industrial fuel oil and was caught in severe weather conditions exacerbated by recent monsoon rains and a passing typhoon. The Coast Guard has already identified a spill near the wreck site and is bracing for possible large-scale contamination.
The impact of a significant oil spill on Manila Bay could be severe, affecting local wildlife, tourism, and the economy. Historical context shows that previous spills, such as one off Oriental Mindoro province last year, resulted in extensive environmental damage and long-term cleanup efforts. The current situation is being closely monitored, with a potential operation to siphon off the remaining oil expected to take around a week.
The Coast Guard’s priority is to mitigate the environmental and economic damage that could result from the spill. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing assessments to determine the best course of action to protect Manila’s shoreline and marine life.
The sinking of the Terra Nova underscores the urgent need for effective spill response and prevention strategies to safeguard Manila Bay’s environment and economy.
“There’s a big danger that Manila would be affected, its shorelines, if the fuel leaks because this happened within Manila Bay.” – Rear Admiral Armando Balilo
