47,000 liters of oil collected from sunken ship in Manila Bay

The MT Terranova sank on July 25, 2024, two days before another fuel tanker sank also in the waters of Bataan province, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). (Photo from PCG)

MANILA, Philippines — Around 47,000 liters of oil were extracted from a ship that sank in Manila Bay last month, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday.

“Approximately 47,000 liters of oil were collected, with a flow rate of 9,000 liters per hour, during the oil removal testing,” the PCG, citing the contract salvor Harbor Star that is in charge of the oil removal, said.

Last July 25, Motor Tanker (MT) Terranova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, sank off Bataan, killing a crew member.

The spillage spread to the coasts of Manila and nearby provinces.

PCG said its BRP Sindangan also “conducted sea surface surveillance and monitoring, while joint authorities performed oil sampling at ground zero.”

“The 44-meter Coast Guard vessel sprayed dispersant and utilized water cannon to mitigate the presence of oil sheen at ground zero,” PCG said. “It also assessed the vicinity waters through drone aerial surveillance.”

Aside from MT Terra Nova, two other ships sank or capsized in Manila Bay.

MT Jason Bradley sank on July 27, and MV Mirola 1 capsized after running aground on July 31.

PCG deployed BRP Malamawi to monitor the area near MT Jason Bradley‘s location.

“No oil sheen was observed during sea surface surveillance in the vicinity waters,” it said.

As for MV Mirola 1, contracted salvor Morning Star “started securing areas of the aground vessel for plugging, in preparation for the removal of seawater from the hull area.”