Chinese bulk carrier MV Zhe Hai 168 has been stranded in Guiuan, Eastern Samat since April 18. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard.)
ZAMBALES, Philippines — No leakage has been found in the Chinese vessel carrying nickel ore which has been stranded in Eastern Samar, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday.
The PCG substation in Guiuan and its Marine Environmental Protection Unit (Mepu), along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the local government and the agent of Chinese-flagged bulk carrier MV Zhe Hai 168 conducted an ocular inspection on April 19.
“The Chinese crew confirmed no leakage/damage inside the vessel,” the PCG said in a statement.
No traces of oil spill have been found in the area.
“The Mepu also conducted a surface assessment for possible traces of oil spill and yielded a negative result,” PCG also said.
MV Zhe Hai 168 ran aground in the vicinity waters approximately 2.7 nautical miles off the shoreline of Barangay Sulangan in Guiuan town on April 18.
READ: Stranded Chinese vessel remains in waters off Eastern Samar island
PCG said the ship remains in the area as of Thursday.
A salvage team from Singapore is expected to arrive in the area on Thursday, according to the PCG.
After the pull-out of the bulk carrier, the PCG will conduct another hull assessment while the DENR will also evaluate the condition of corals at the marine protected area near the vicinity waters for damage claims.
This was not the first time that a Chinese vessel encountered a problem in Guiuan town.
On January 26, Kai Dai 899, a supply vessel with seven crew, drifted on the island village of Suluan, which faces the Pacific Ocean.