Asia/Pacific News
Bunker Spill Hits Philippine Island
Bunker fuel from a cargo ship that sank in the Iloilo Strait in the Philippines has reached the shores of Guimaras Island, Philippine newspaper the Inquirer reports.
The MV Sportivo sank Sunday with 12,000 litres of bunker fuel and 28,000 bags of fertiliser on board after being dragged from anchor during rough sea conditions and colliding with another moored cargo vessel.
The ship's crew said they closed all fuel valves and pipelines before leaving the ship, but bunker fuel had contaminated nearby waters and shorelines by Monday.
"An oil spill, even of a small magnitude, can harm our environment," said Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin.
"We have alerted barangay officials and residents of coastal villages to implement preventive and mitigating measures."
An oil sheen around the sunken vessel was five metres wide and 2 kilometres long, and response workers sprayed dispersant on the spill.
The vessel is owned by Seen Sam Shipping of Cebu, according to another report in the Inquirer.
In recent months, the Philippines has experienced spills after a ferry collision, a pipeline leak, and a leak from a truck being carried on a vessel.
