On July 25, 2024, the Philippine-flagged oil tanker MT Terra Nova capsized and sank in Manila Bay, approximately 7 kilometers off the coast of Limay, Bataan province, resulting in a significant environmental crisis. The vessel, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, was en route to Iloilo when it encountered difficulties due to strong winds and high waves caused by Typhoon Gaemi.The incident has led to an oil spill stretching several kilometers, with authorities warning it could become the largest in Philippine history if all the fuel leaks. Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard, stated, ‘We are working against time and trying to do everything possible to immediately localize the spill and stop the fuel leak’.Search and rescue operations have been partially successful, with 16 of the 17 crew members rescued. However, one crew member remains missing, and the search continues despite challenging weather conditions. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista reported that four of the rescued crew members required medical attention.The oil slick, estimated to be around 3.7 kilometers long, is being carried by strong currents towards the east and northeast, posing a significant threat to Manila and its shoreline. The Philippine Coast Guard, along with marine environmental protection personnel, has been mobilized to contain the spill, but their efforts are being hindered by the adverse weather conditions.Philippine President has ordered the environment ministry to assess the damage, while local authorities race to mitigate the ecological impact. The coast guard aims to complete the siphoning of the oil within seven days, but the operation faces significant challenges due to the ongoing storm.This incident highlights the vulnerability of coastal areas to environmental disasters and the critical importance of maritime safety measures, especially in regions prone to severe weather events.
Key points
- The Philippine-flagged tanker MT Terra Nova sank in Manila Bay, spilling 1.
- This could potentially become the largest oil spill in Philippine history, threatening Manila’s shoreline and marine ecosystem.
- 16 out of 17 crew members have been rescued, with one still missing; search operations are ongoing.
- Typhoon Gaemi is complicating containment efforts, with strong winds and high waves hampering clean-up operations.
4 million liters of industrial fuel oil.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported amount of oil carried by the tanker, with most sources citing 1.
4 million liters, while one source mentions 1.
5 million liters.
