A second tanker has sunk off the coast of the Philippine peninsula of Bataan. The oil spill off Manila is getting worse.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the tanker “Jason Bradley” sank at the mouth of the bay on the evening of 27 July.
Patrol vessels discovered an oil slick spreading across the water. The ship was sailing in ballast, which reduced the risk of pollution. According to PCG reports, no one was injured; it is currently unknown what may have caused the ship to capsize. The PCG announced that the owner of the “Jason Bradley” has arranged for a salvage operation.
“Terra Nova” still leaking oil off Manila
This second accident poses new problems for the salvage team in Manila Bay. On 25 July, the tanker ” Terra Nova” was sunk by Typhoon Gaemi – the ship was carrying 1.4 million litres of oil, which is still leaking.
Initially, it was said that only the tanker’s fuel had leaked, but industrial oil was also leaking from several valves connected to the cargo tanks. According to the Maritime Executive, salvage divers are working to seal all points where the fuel could enter the water and have applied two coats of sealant by Sunday.
Work to clean up the pollution from the “Terra Nova’s” cargo and fuel has not yet begun and may be delayed. The government has already warned that the accident could develop into the biggest oil spill in the history of the Philippines.
The organisation Greenpeace Philippines has called on the government to take “decisive action” to bring the spill under control. The costs for the clean-up and the consequences of the environmental damage should be charged to the cargo owner.
