More than 343cu.m of petrol spilled into the sea off Vung Tau after a domestic oil tanker was hit by a Singapore-flagged vessel yesterday morning.
BA RIA-VUNG TAU —
One of Petrolimex 02's starboard tanks was breached in the collision with Lewek Penguin 16 nautical miles south-east of Vung Tau at around 4am. The hole, which was about 4 metres wide, quickly spilled oil into the sea.
No human casualties were reported.
The Vung Tau Port Authority said the 20,000-tonne tanker had left Dung Quat Refinery in central Quang Ngai Province carrying petrol for HCM City.
Shortly after the incident, the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Coast Guard responded by sending a boat and dozens of troops to the site.
The provincial Environmental Protection Agency sent staff to monitor coastal areas from Vung Tau to Xuyen Moc District for signs of the oil slick.
No signs of the petrol have been spotted along the beach so far.
Tran Ngoc Thoi, deputy chairman of the Ba Ria – Vung Tau People's Committee, ordered district authorities and other agencies to keep a close eye on the spill be ready for a quick response.
The Vung Tau Port Authority granted permission to the Petrolimex 02, which was carrying 6,538cu.m of oil, to anchor at Nha Be Oil Port and transport the remaining oil to avoid any unexpected explosions. — VNS