A capsized tanker off the coast of Manila in the Philippines has begun leaking industrial fuel into Manila Bay, prompting the coast guard to take urgent action to prevent a potential environmental disaster. The tanker, MT Terra Nova, which was transporting 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, capsized and sank on Thursday due to adverse weather conditions as Typhoon Gaemi struck the country. One crew member lost their life, while 16 others were rescued.
The oil spill has now tripled in size, covering an area between 12 and 14 kilometers in the bay, a vital resource for thousands of fishermen and tourism operators. The coast guard described the leak as “minimal” from the ship’s hull valves but warned that it could develop into a serious threat. “We hope to start recovering oil from the tanker tomorrow,” said coast guard spokesperson, Commander Armando Balilo. “But we are preparing for the worst-case scenario.” A special vessel designed to collect the spilled oil is en route to the area.
The coast guard has warned that if the entire cargo leaks, it would be classified as an “environmental disaster.” They have deployed oil-absorbing barriers in the area to limit the potential environmental impact. Additionally, three coast guard vessels are applying dispersants over the oil contamination.
Greenpeace Philippines has urged the government to “do everything to recover the ship and its contents immediately to prevent further damage to the marine environment and the coastal communities.” The group described the sunken tanker as a “ticking bomb” that further threatens the health, safety, and livelihoods of coastal communities around Manila Bay.
Local communities near the accident site are fearful for their livelihoods, which could be severely impacted by the oil spill. A local fisherman expressed concern, stating, “We hope that it won’t be necessary to prepare for the worst, as this is something one cannot be ready for.”
The ship sank almost 7 kilometers from the municipality of Limay in Bataan province while attempting to return to port amid poor weather conditions. The Philippines has previously struggled to manage significant oil spills; in 2023, it took months to clean up after a tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel sank off Mindoro. In 2006, another tanker sank off Guimaras, resulting in a spill of tens of thousands of gallons of oil that destroyed a marine reserve and fishing grounds.