Authorities have reported that a refined oil spill from a cargo vessel that sank close to Phuket over the weekend is not anticipated to pose a threat to nearby islands or coral reefs, as the slick is currently drifting towards open waters.
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) stated on February 10 that current oil spill modeling indicates the refined petroleum is moving southwest, away from coastal ecosystems.
The Panama-flagged Sealloyd Arc, weighing 4,339 tonnes, went down on Saturday approximately three nautical miles south of Laem Phromthep while it was en route from Malaysia to Bangladesh. The vessel was carrying 297 containers, all of which were lost during the incident.
Chanan Tiranarat, head of the PCD’s Water Quality Management Division, remarked that the situation is being closely monitored, although the risk to marine life remains low. “Based on the current situation, all islands remain safe from the oil leakage,” Chanan stated. “However, we will continue to closely monitor the situation as wind conditions and sea currents can change.”
He further explained that refined petroleum acts differently from crude oil, dispersing and dissolving more readily when chemical dispersants are applied. This makes the current incident less severe than the 2013 crude oil spill at Ao Prao Beach in Rayong, which had significant environmental consequences.
Authorities have been authorized to use dispersants immediately if required, without needing prior approval, although they must report on the quantities used afterwards. Chanan noted that the department is working in conjunction with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre to manage the response and evaluate environmental risks.
At the time of the sinking, the Sealloyd Arc was transporting approximately 98 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 32 tonnes of marine diesel oil, raising concerns about potential harm to sensitive coral reef areas if the leak were to escalate.
Discussions regarding a salvage operation are ongoing, according to a report from Bangkok Post, although initial efforts have faced challenges due to strong sea currents in the area.
Source: The Thaiger
