Oil Spill From Sunken Cargo Ship Washes Up On Phuket Beaches Two Weeks After Sinking

An oil spill from a sunken cargo ship has begun washing ashore on beaches in Phuket, Thailand, nearly two weeks after the vessel went down in the Andaman Sea.

Thai authorities confirmed that around 1,700 litres of oil leaked from the Panama-flagged cargo ship Sealloyd Arc after it sank on February 7 while en route to Chattogram, Bangladesh.

The contamination has now reached key tourist beaches, raising concerns over marine ecosystems and the local tourism economy.

According to Thai authorities and local officials, coagulated oil residue and tar balls have washed up on Ya Nui Beach in Phuket and along parts of Koh Hey’s Banana Beach.

The affected stretch on Koh Hey reportedly spans approximately 80 to 100 metres.

The vessel lies at a depth of around 60 metres, making underwater access difficult. Officials stated that divers have faced operational challenges in containing the leak due to the wreck’s depth.

The spill occurred after the Sealloyd Arc, sailing under the Panama flag, sank while heading toward Chattogram in Bangladesh.

Thailand’s Navy has deployed dispersants to treat the oil slick. Oil containment booms have also been installed to prevent further spread toward nearby tourist beaches, including Rawai Beach and Kata Beach.

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) confirmed that oil stains and tar balls were detected in affected coastal areas.

Officials have collected oil samples for further analysis. Local authorities, tourism operators, and municipal teams have been manually removing oil deposits from beaches using rakes and collection tools.

Authorities stated that an expert dive team is preparing to seal the leaking section of the vessel. The operation had reportedly faced delays due to cost negotiations between the shipowner and the salvage team.

Marine authorities warned that oil contamination poses risks to coral reefs, coastal ecosystems, and marine wildlife.

Environmental groups say that oil spills can coat marine species, contaminate food chains, and release toxic compounds into seawater.

Thailand recorded 130 oil spills across more than 23 provinces between 2017 and 2021, according to official marine data.

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most important tourism hubs. Beaches such as Ya Nui and Banana Beach attract large numbers of international visitors each year. Any prolonged contamination could impact local tourism revenue and related industries.

References: malaymail, straitstimes

Source: Maritime Shipping News