MANILA – The coast guards of Japan and the United States are aiding the Philippines in mitigating the impact of an oil spill off the coast of Bataan, where the sunken M/T Terra Nova is leaking industrial fuel.
During a virtual meeting on Thursday (15 Aug 2024) representatives from the Japanese Coast Guard, the US Coast Guard, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) discussed strategies for effective oil spill control with the Philippine Coast Guard. The meeting focused on the current status of the spill and explored future measures to prevent further environmental damage.
The Japanese Embassy expressed confidence that this collaboration would help curb marine pollution and aid in the restoration of the affected marine environment. This discussion follows an earlier meeting between Japanese and Philippine officials on August 7.
The M/T Terra Nova, which sank on July 25 near Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan, was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel. The sinking was attributed to rough seas caused by Super Typhoon Carina and an intensified southwest monsoon.
The ongoing siphoning efforts mark a significant step in addressing the environmental threat posed by the spill.
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