PCG eyeing to start siphoning fuel from sunken tanker on July 30

A thick layer of oil can be seen across the water’s surface approximately four kilometers from the coastline in Tibaguin Island, Hagonoy, Bulacan. The oil spill from capsized tanker MT Terra Nova, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of oil, is affecting the municipal waters of several areas, including Bulacan, Cavite, and Bataan. Aerial images reveal the extensive spread of the oil spill from MT Terra Nova, showing the vast damage inflicted on the affected waters and ecosystems on which communities depend for their livelihood and sustenance. Greenpeace is calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make oil and gas companies pay for polluting our waters and fueling the climate crisis.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is eyeing to seal all 24 valves of a sunken motor tanker in Manila Bay on Monday and start siphoning the remaining fuel from the ship on Tuesday, July 30.

Coast Guard Station Bataan Lt. Commander Michael John Encina said the sunken Motor Tanker (MT) Terra Nova has 24 valves. However, 14 valves leaked and these were sealed on Sunday.

READ: PH Coast Guard seals 14 leaking valves of sunken tanker in Manila Bay

“When you say siphoning, it is the process of removing the remaining oil inside the tanker. The tanker has 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil (IFO) inside the Terra Nova,” Encina explained in a press conference on Monday afternoon.

“So we need to siphon around 300,000 liters for it to float, according to our expert. The intention is to siphon it, to afloat the vessel, to salvage it, and put it on the shore to prevent further oil spill,” he added.

According to PCG’s earlier statement, the shipping company and the contracted salvor Harbor Star will position and secure the two recovery vessels (barge and motor tanker) on site to commence the siphoning operations on July 30 or July 31.

The contracted salvor said it could siphon “approximately 50,000 to 60,000 liters of IFO daily” and finish within a week. But Encina said the siphoning will last for five to seven days or a maximum of 10 days.

‘Minimal excretion’

Based on PCG’s latest aerial surveillance, the oil spill in Manila Bay has started to lessen.

Encina said the oil spill is at a “minimal scale” of 1 liter per hour or 24 liters per day, which is “very controllable.”

Last July 25, authorities said MT Terra Nova “capsized and eventually submerged” in waters off Bataan province.

On July 27, the PCG said the oil from the sunken motor tanker started to leak into Manila Bay, spreading about 12 to 14 kilometers across the area.