KAOHSIUNG-PINGTUNG (TVBS News) — More than 400 large cargo containers remain adrift in the waters of Kaohsiung and Pingtung as of Monday (July 24) following the sinking of a container ship three days earlier.
Despite relevant authorities' efforts in salvage operations, progress remains slow. With Typhoon Doksuri approaching, the waves have become more significant, further complicating the salvage mission. Concerns have been raised about potential oil leakage, prompting the deployment of drones to monitor the situation closely. The cargo retrieval mission will likely end in four days.
The Palau-flagged container ship Angel met a tragic end outside the Port of Kaohsiung on Friday (July 21), sinking and leaving hundreds of containers adrift.
Authorities at the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) were first alerted to the incident on July 20 when they received a distress call reporting that the container ship Angel was listing heavily to the left due to water ingress of unknown origin.
In a swift response, TIPC immediately notified the Coast Guard Administration (CGA), who promptly organized the evacuation of the ship's 19 crew members. Fortunately, all but one crew member escaped unharmed, with one individual sustaining mild injuries and receiving medical attention.
Concerned about the potential environmental impact, the Kaohsiung Port Authority reached out to the CPC Corporation for urgent assistance in the salvage operation and urged heightened vigilance in the area.
Over 600 empty cargo containers were set adrift, heading southwards, with fears that they could collide with the floats of the nearby Dalin Refinery operated by CPC Corporation. An oil leak in such a scenario could pose a grave threat to the marine ecology of Xiaoliuqiu and Kenting.
Despite efforts, as of 4:30 p.m. on July 22, only 87 containers have been salvaged, raising concerns about maritime safety in the region.
To mitigate potential risks, the CGA has been monitoring maritime vessel movements around the clock using radar and issuing timely broadcasts to advise ships to steer clear of restricted navigation areas.
Additionally, drones are being deployed to provide real-time video feeds to protect fisheries conservation areas and ecologically sensitive coastal regions near Kaohsiung and Pingtung.
As Typhoon Doksuri approaches, authorities stress the importance of expediting the removal mission to proactively avert potential hazards and ensure maritime safety in the region.
