July 25th 2024.
A devastating accident has occurred in the Philippines as a tanker carrying a staggering 1.4 million litres of fuel has capsized and sunk off the coast of Manila. The MT Terra Nova, flying the Philippine flag, was carrying an immense amount of industrial fuel oil when it encountered rough seas and ultimately capsized. This has resulted in a massive oil spill, causing widespread concern and prompting immediate action from authorities.
Thankfully, sixteen of the seventeen crew members onboard have been rescued, leaving only one sailor still missing. The coast guard is currently conducting a search for the missing crew member, while also battling strong winds and high waves. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista discussed the dire situation in a briefing, stating that the turbulent weather was preventing them from mobilizing their resources to contain the spill.
According to Bautista, the ship was carrying a total of 1,494 metric tonnes of industrial fuel, making the situation all the more alarming. Reports from the rescued crew members reveal that they had encountered treacherous conditions before the ship ultimately capsized. Philippine coast guard spokesperson Armando Balilo also provided updates in a separate briefing, stating that a 97-meter coast guard vessel had been deployed to search for the missing crew and contain the oil spill. However, smaller vessels are currently waiting for the weather to improve before they can set sail.
Aerial surveys by the coast guard have revealed that the oil slick has spread approximately two nautical miles and is being driven by strong waves. Balilo expressed the urgency of the situation, stating that they are racing against time to contain the fuel and prevent further damage. Meanwhile, authorities are working tirelessly to contain the oil spill, as it poses a significant threat to the environment and potentially to the capital city of Manila, which is in close proximity to where the ship sank.
Balilo also mentioned that they are preparing for all contingencies, including the possibility of the spill reaching Manila. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the environment ministry to assess the damage, and the country's environment minister is on her way to the town of Limay. Investigations are also underway to determine if the sinking of the ship was caused by Typhoon Gaemi, which had previously caused severe flooding in Manila and surrounding areas, resulting in 14 fatalities.
According to LSEG's Eikon data, the Terra Nova has a deadweight tonnage of 1,415 tonnes and was en route to the central province of Iloilo. Unfortunately, this is not the first time a tanker has capsized in the Philippines, causing an oil spill. Last year, the MT Princess Empress, carrying around 800,000 litres of industrial fuel, sank and caused an oil spill that took three months to clean up, severely impacting tourist towns.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to follow updates on social media and to sign up for daily push alerts to stay informed about the latest developments. This is a developing situation, and The Agency will provide further updates on Twitter and Facebook. Our thoughts are with the missing crew member and those affected by this tragic accident.
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