The owners of a pipeline that spilt crude oil into beaches in California have agreed to admit guilt to charges of environmental contamination and pay $13 million, these businesses announced on Friday.&nbsp;

Two of its subsidiaries, Beta Operating Co. and San Pedro Bay Pipeline Co., along with Texas-based Amplify Energy, which runs the pipeline off Huntington Beach, have stated they will formally acknowledge letting oil contaminate the waters off southern California in October of last year.&nbsp;

They will pay a $7.1 million fine and $5.8 million in restitution to federal agencies that helped clean up 25,000 gallons of crude oil that leaked from their pipeline as part of plea pleas made in federal court.

South of Los Angeles, between Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, a stretch of coast that is popular with surfers and is also home to dolphins, was blackened by the spill for 18 miles (24 kilometres).&nbsp;

Inspections conducted underwater found that a significant portion of the pipeline had been moved and had a pipe rupture.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-militarization-in-arctic-region-strategic-challenge-says-nato-chief-510517">Russian militarisation in Arctic region 'strategic challenge', says NATO chief</a>

Given that the area is frequently crowded with cargo ships waiting to reach the big ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, investigators stated last year that they feared the damage may have been caused by the anchor of a ship.&nbsp;

Amplify's president and CEO, Martyn Willsher, stated that the business had "cooperatively" worked to fix the issue as soon as it was identified.

"We believe this resolution, which is subject to court review and approval, reflects the commitments we made immediately following the incident to impacted parties and is in the best interest of Amplify and its stakeholders. We are committed to safely operating in a way that ensures the protection of the environment and the surrounding communities," said Willsher.

Amplify has also promised to upgrade the pipeline's leak detection system and improve inspections there.

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

The owners of a pipeline that spilt crude oil into beaches in California have agreed to admit guilt to charges of environmental contamination and pay $13 million, these businesses announced on Friday.

The owners of a pipeline that spilt crude oil into beaches in California have agreed to admit guilt to charges of environmental contamination and pay $13 million, these businesses announced on Friday. Two of its subsidiaries, Beta Operating Co. and San Pedro Bay Pipeline Co., along with Texas-based Amplify Energy, which runs the pipeline off Huntington Beach, have stated they will formally acknowledge letting oil contaminate the waters off southern California in October of last year. They will pay a $7.1 million fine and $5.8 million in restitution to federal agencies that helped clean up 25,000 gallons of crude oil that leaked from their pipeline as part of plea pleas made in federal court. South of Los Angeles, between Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, a stretch of coast that is popular with surfers and is also home to dolphins, was blackened by the spill for 18 miles (24 kilometres). Inspections conducted underwater found that a significant portion of the pipeline had been moved and had a pipe rupture. Also Read: Russian militarisation in Arctic region 'strategic challenge', says NATO chief Given that the area is frequently crowded with cargo ships waiting to reach the big ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, investigators stated last year that they feared the damage may have been caused by the anchor of a ship. Amplify's president and CEO, Martyn Willsher, stated that the business had "cooperatively" worked to fix the issue as soon as it was identified. "We believe this resolution, which is subject to court review and approval, reflects the commitments we made immediately following the incident to impacted parties and is in the best interest of Amplify and its stakeholders. We are committed to safely operating in a way that ensures the protection of the environment and the surrounding communities," said Willsher. Amplify has also promised to upgrade the pipeline's leak detection system and improve inspections there. (with inputs from agencies)

California crude oil leaking pipeline operators to pay $13m pollution charges

An oil spill has tainted the beautiful beaches of California. A fuel transfer between a tanker and onshore facility led to a spill of an estimated 110,000 gallons of oil.

WION Climate Tracker: Oil spill harms beautiful beaches of Baja California

In order to prevent oil spill disaster in the Red Sea, the United Nations has launched a crowd-funding campaign for an operation intended to prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potential catastrophe.

UN's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen David Gressly told an online press briefing "We hope to raise $5 million by the end of June."

He took to Twitter and wrote, "Today I launched a @UN crowdfunding campaign because we urgently need funds to start the emergency operation before it is too late."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today I launched a <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> crowdfunding campaign because we urgently need funds to start the emergency operation before it is too late. Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/H6q5MJWBDg">https://t.co/H6q5MJWBDg</a> <a href="https://t.co/moFtjedoKn">pic.twitter.com/moFtjedoKn</a>
— David Gressly (@DavidGressly) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidGressly/status/1536366382623096834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Yemeni oil tanker, which is decaying and is 45-year-old, was used as a floating storage platform and has not been serviced since the country was plunged into civil war more than seven years ago.&nbsp;

Last month, the United Nations had warned that the FSO Safer, abandoned off the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida, is in "imminent" danger of breaking up.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/peru-demands-compensation-for-oil-spill-damage-aerial-images-show-extent-of-devastation-446126">Also see |&nbsp;Peru demands compensation for oil spill damage, aerial images show extent of devastation</a>

According to a website for the crowd-funding campaign, which has started accepting donations, an operation to transfer its 1.1 million barrels of oil to a different vessel could begin next month.

Neighbouring Saudi Arabia said it would contribute $10 million following a UN pledging conference last month for the oil-transfer operation fell far short of its $80 million target.

After Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa the previous year, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015.

According to the UN, the Safer contains four times the amount of oil that was spilled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1&lt;/div">&amp;times;</iframe></div>

&nbsp;
</div>

In order to prevent oil spill disaster in the Red Sea, the United Nations has launched a crowd-funding campaign for an operation intended to prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potential catastrophe.

In order to prevent oil spill disaster in the Red Sea, the United Nations has launched a crowd-funding campaign for an operation intended to prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potential catastrophe. UN's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen David Gressly told an online press briefing "We hope to raise $5 million by the end of June." He took to Twitter and wrote, "Today I launched a @UN crowdfunding campaign because we urgently need funds to start the emergency operation before it is too late." Today I launched a @UN crowdfunding campaign because we urgently need funds to start the emergency operation before it is too late. Learn more: https://t.co/H6q5MJWBDg pic.twitter.com/moFtjedoKn — David Gressly (@DavidGressly) June 13, 2022 × The Yemeni oil tanker, which is decaying and is 45-year-old, was used as a floating storage platform and has not been serviced since the country was plunged into civil war more than seven years ago. Last month, the United Nations had warned that the FSO Safer, abandoned off the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida, is in "imminent" danger of breaking up. Also see | Peru demands compensation for oil spill damage, aerial images show extent of devastation According to a website for the crowd-funding campaign, which has started accepting donations, an operation to transfer its 1.1 million barrels of oil to a different vessel could begin next month. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia said it would contribute $10 million following a UN pledging conference last month for the oil-transfer operation fell far short of its $80 million target. After Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa the previous year, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015. According to the UN, the Safer contains four times the amount of oil that was spilled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

United Nations launches crowd-funding campaign to prevent oil spill disaster

Saudi Arabia on Sunday pledged $10 million to help prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potentially catastrophic spill in the Red Sea bordering its waters.

The decaying 45-year-old oil tanker known as the FSO Safer, long used as a floating storage platform and now abandoned off the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida, has not been serviced since Yemen was plunged into civil war.

A Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa the previous year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-hikes-july-crude-prices-surprisingly-high-for-asia-buyers-485530">Saudi Arabia hikes July crude prices surprisingly high for Asia buyers</a>

The tanker, which lies some 150 kilometres (100 miles) south of the border with Saudi Arabia, is in "imminent" danger of breaking up, the United Nations warned last month.

The Safer contains four times the amount of oil that was spilled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes, according to the UN.

Last week environmental campaign group Greenpeace urged the Arab League to drum up funds for an operation that would transfer its 1.1 million barrels of oil to a different vessel.

A UN pledging conference last month fell far short of its $80 million target, bringing in just $33 million.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Asia to pay more for oil from Saudi Arabia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-asia-to-pay-more-for-oil-from-saudi-arabia-485782/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Environmentalists warn the cost of the operation is a pittance compared to the estimated $20 billion it would cost to clean up a spill.

The UN has said an oil spill could destroy ecosystems, shut down the fishing industry and close the lifeline Hodeida port for six months.

It has said the operation needs to be completed by the end of September to avoid "turbulent winds" that pick up later in the year.&nbsp;

Riyadh will donate $10 million to the effort through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.&nbsp;

"The Kingdom calls on the United Nations to quickly take the necessary measures to ensure the prevention of oil leakage&nbsp;and also calls on the international community to contribute urgently to support this initiative and prevent a serious environmental disaster," the agency said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-sides-agree-to-extend-truce-for-two-months-says-united-nations-484465">Yemen’s warring sides agree to extend truce for two months, says United Nations</a>

Saudi Arabia's current defence spending is $36.8 billion per year, according to the Military Balance+ database prepared by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The war in Yemen has killed hundreds of thousands of people and left millions on the brink of famine.&nbsp;

But fighting has reduced since April when a truce went into effect, with the truce currently due to last until August.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday pledged $10 million to help prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potentially catastrophic spill in the Red Sea bordering its waters.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday pledged $10 million to help prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potentially catastrophic spill in the Red Sea bordering its waters. The decaying 45-year-old oil tanker known as the FSO Safer, long used as a floating storage platform and now abandoned off the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida, has not been serviced since Yemen was plunged into civil war. A Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa the previous year. Also read | Saudi Arabia hikes July crude prices surprisingly high for Asia buyers The tanker, which lies some 150 kilometres (100 miles) south of the border with Saudi Arabia, is in "imminent" danger of breaking up, the United Nations warned last month. The Safer contains four times the amount of oil that was spilled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes, according to the UN. Last week environmental campaign group Greenpeace urged the Arab League to drum up funds for an operation that would transfer its 1.1 million barrels of oil to a different vessel. A UN pledging conference last month fell far short of its $80 million target, bringing in just $33 million. Watch | Gravitas: Asia to pay more for oil from Saudi Arabia Environmentalists warn the cost of the operation is a pittance compared to the estimated $20 billion it would cost to clean up a spill. The UN has said an oil spill could destroy ecosystems, shut down the fishing industry and close the lifeline Hodeida port for six months. It has said the operation needs to be completed by the end of September to avoid "turbulent winds" that pick up later in the year. Riyadh will donate $10 million to the effort through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday. "The Kingdom calls on the United Nations to quickly take the necessary measures to ensure the prevention of oil leakage and also calls on the international community to contribute urgently to support this initiative and prevent a serious environmental disaster," the agency said. Also read | Yemen’s warring sides agree to extend truce for two months, says United Nations Saudi Arabia's current defence spending is $36.8 billion per year, according to the Military Balance+ database prepared by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The war in Yemen has killed hundreds of thousands of people and left millions on the brink of famine. But fighting has reduced since April when a truce went into effect, with the truce currently due to last until August. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Saudi offers $10 million to prevent Red Sea oil spill disaster off Yemen

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is conducting International Maritime Organization Level I &amp; II course for 42 delegates from 17 friendly foreign countries.

The course will be taught in southern Chennai city, which is the headquarters for Coast Guard Region East. It is sponsored by the Indian Technical&nbsp;and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) division of India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Under this course, participants will be exposed to the theoretical aspects of oil-spill response techniques and a practical live demo of response methods, shoreline clean-up techniques and surveillance procedures.&nbsp;

The 12-day course has been drawn up in line with the Indian government's vision to enhance the capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region, Indo-Pacific, Gulf of Guinea countries and littoral countries.

This course, which commenced on Monday,&nbsp;is meant to enhance professional acumen, awareness, coordination and cooperation among the countries in the field of environmental protection.

The participating countries are Iran, Comoros, Thailand, Somalia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman, Seychelles, Bangladesh, South Africa, Vietnam, Madagascar, Yemen and Nigeria.&nbsp;

The Indian Coast Guard, part of the Ministry of Defence, is the designated national authority for oil spill response in Indian waters under the National Oil Spill-Disaster Contingency Plan.

Over the last several decades, the ICG has had vast experience in carrying out response activities to oil spills, off India's east and west coast and also in the Indian Ocean Region.

The most recent examples are of India's constant support and efforts in fighting the fire on commercial ships that were off the coast of Sri Lanka. In September 2020, a major fire had broken onboard MT New Diamond, which was carrying about 270,000 metric tonnes of oil and positioned off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and the ICG played a major role in mitigating an environmental disaster.&nbsp;

The ICG’s swift response was again on display when it helped combat the blaze on board MV X-Press Pearl, off Sri Lankan coast. When it caught fire, the container ship was carrying 1,486 containers of chemical cargo classified under International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG).

Among other chemicals, the IMDG cargo consisted of highly inflammable Nitric Acid, Methanol, Methyl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide and Polystyrene beads.

Despite the best firefighting efforts, the vessel sank off the coast of Sri Lanka, between Colombo and Negombo.&nbsp;

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is conducting International Maritime Organization Level I & II course for 42 delegates from 17 friendly foreign countries. The course will be taught in southern Chennai city, which is the headquarters for Coast Guard Region East.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is conducting International Maritime Organization Level I & II course for 42 delegates from 17 friendly foreign countries. The course will be taught in southern Chennai city, which is the headquarters for Coast Guard Region East. It is sponsored by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) division of India's Ministry of External Affairs. Under this course, participants will be exposed to the theoretical aspects of oil-spill response techniques and a practical live demo of response methods, shoreline clean-up techniques and surveillance procedures. The 12-day course has been drawn up in line with the Indian government's vision to enhance the capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region, Indo-Pacific, Gulf of Guinea countries and littoral countries. This course, which commenced on Monday, is meant to enhance professional acumen, awareness, coordination and cooperation among the countries in the field of environmental protection. The participating countries are Iran, Comoros, Thailand, Somalia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman, Seychelles, Bangladesh, South Africa, Vietnam, Madagascar, Yemen and Nigeria. The Indian Coast Guard, part of the Ministry of Defence, is the designated national authority for oil spill response in Indian waters under the National Oil Spill-Disaster Contingency Plan. Over the last several decades, the ICG has had vast experience in carrying out response activities to oil spills, off India's east and west coast and also in the Indian Ocean Region. The most recent examples are of India's constant support and efforts in fighting the fire on commercial ships that were off the coast of Sri Lanka. In September 2020, a major fire had broken onboard MT New Diamond, which was carrying about 270,000 metric tonnes of oil and positioned off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and the ICG played a major role in mitigating an environmental disaster. The ICG’s swift response was again on display when it helped combat the blaze on board MV X-Press Pearl, off Sri Lankan coast. When it caught fire, the container ship was carrying 1,486 containers of chemical cargo classified under International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG). Among other chemicals, the IMDG cargo consisted of highly inflammable Nitric Acid, Methanol, Methyl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide and Polystyrene beads. Despite the best firefighting efforts, the vessel sank off the coast of Sri Lanka, between Colombo and Negombo.

Indian Coast Guard trains counterparts from 17 countries in combating oil spill

Environmental authorities in Peru continue to find dead birds in areas affected by the oil spill although Repsol claims there has been a significant progress in cleaning efforts.

Peru: environmentalists not convinced after Repsol claims progress in clean-up of oil spill

An oil production vessel having the capacity to carry up to 2 million barrels of oil exploded off the coast of Nigeria with 10 crew members on board.

According to reports, the Trinity Spirit blew up on early Wednesday at the Ukpokiti oil field off Nigeria’s coast, near the Escravos terminal close to the Niger delta.

A video of the dramatic incident went viral on social media purportedly showing the ship on fire as it sinks into the sea, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Trinity FPSO explosion, this oil and gas jobs that don't pay well anymore, with high risk😪😪 <a href="https://t.co/fj5iV9qVlt">pic.twitter.com/fj5iV9qVlt</a>
— Jaguda_rated (@franz411) <a href="https://twitter.com/franz411/status/1489126662335836163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The vessel is a floating production storage vessel (FPSO), owned by Nigeria's Shebah Exploration &amp; Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL).

In a statement on Thursday, SEPCOL said that flames had engulfed the Trinity Spirit floating production, storage and offloading vessel following the blast.

“But we can confirm that there were 10 crewmen onboard the vessel prior to the incident and we are prioritising investigations with respect to their safety and security,” SEPCOL Chief Executive Ikemefuna Okafor said in the statement.

The statement however did not give additional duties on the casualties, or the quantity of oil spilt into the sea.

The Nigerian government has described the impact of the spill as being “like Hiroshima”, with the leaking oil causing the death of marine life and damage to mangroves and waterways.

The explosion of the Trinity Spirit is reportedly the fourth major oil spill this year, after disasters in Peru, Ecuador and Thailand.

Nigeria is the 15th biggest oil-producing country in the world, producing more than 1.9m barrels a day, according to 2016 figures.

(With inputs from agencies)

An oil production vessel having the capacity to carry up to 2 million barrels of oil exploded off the coast of Nigeria with 10 crew members on board. According to reports, the Trinity Spirit blew up on early Wednesday at the Ukpokiti oil field off Nigeria’s coast, near the Escravos terminal close to the Niger delta.

An oil production vessel having the capacity to carry up to 2 million barrels of oil exploded off the coast of Nigeria with 10 crew members on board. According to reports, the Trinity Spirit blew up on early Wednesday at the Ukpokiti oil field off Nigeria’s coast, near the Escravos terminal close to the Niger delta. A video of the dramatic incident went viral on social media purportedly showing the ship on fire as it sinks into the sea, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Trinity FPSO explosion, this oil and gas jobs that don't pay well anymore, with high risk😪😪 pic.twitter.com/fj5iV9qVlt — Jaguda_rated (@franz411) February 3, 2022 × The vessel is a floating production storage vessel (FPSO), owned by Nigeria's Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL). In a statement on Thursday, SEPCOL said that flames had engulfed the Trinity Spirit floating production, storage and offloading vessel following the blast. “But we can confirm that there were 10 crewmen onboard the vessel prior to the incident and we are prioritising investigations with respect to their safety and security,” SEPCOL Chief Executive Ikemefuna Okafor said in the statement. The statement however did not give additional duties on the casualties, or the quantity of oil spilt into the sea. The Nigerian government has described the impact of the spill as being “like Hiroshima”, with the leaking oil causing the death of marine life and damage to mangroves and waterways. The explosion of the Trinity Spirit is reportedly the fourth major oil spill this year, after disasters in Peru, Ecuador and Thailand. Nigeria is the 15th biggest oil-producing country in the world, producing more than 1.9m barrels a day, according to 2016 figures. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Oil vessel capable of carrying 2 million barrels explodes off Nigeria coast

The oil spill due to a pipeline burst in Ecuador's Amazon region has resulted in leakage of almost 6,300 barrels of oil, as per information from company that owns the conduit. Oil spill has taken place in an environmental reserve.

The firm OCP said it had "collected and reinjected 5,300 barrels of crude into the system" since the accident on Friday when heavy rains caused a boulder to fall on the pipeline in a mountainous region.

OCP said the recovered oil amounted to 84 percent of the total that leaked, which would mean around 6,300 barrels. 
The oil was collected in large basins deployed as an emergency measure when there is a leak.

OCP president Jorge Vugdelija said in a statement that the company was using people and machines to "collect traces of crude found in the river."

Around 21,000 square meters of the Cayambe-Coca nature reserve has been affected by the leak.

Crude flowed into the Coca river, one of the largest in Ecuador's part of the Amazon and which serves as a water source for many riverbank communities, including indigenous ones.

"We demand to know... what will be the process of delivering water and food to the communities. It's clear that the river water cannot be used or drunk," the National Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadoran Amazon said on Twitter.

The Cayambe-Coca national park is 4,000 square kilometers (1,544 square miles) of mountains and rainforest in the Amazon basin sitting between 600 and 5,790 meters (1,970 to 19,000 feet) above sea level.

Heavy rains at the end of last week caused landslides and rock falls in the area of Piedra Fina, where the pipeline lies, in the eastern Napo province.

The 485-kilometer-long pipeline straddles four provinces all the way to the Pacific coast in the west, transporting 160,000 barrels of oil a day from wells in the jungle.

In May 2020 a mudslide damaged pipelines in the same area, resulting in 15,000 barrels of oil polluting three Amazon basin rivers, affecting several riverside communities.

(With inputs from agencies)

The oil spill due to a pipeline burst in Ecuador's Amazon region has resulted in leakage of almost 6,300 barrels of oil, as per information from company that owns the conduit.

The oil spill due to a pipeline burst in Ecuador's Amazon region has resulted in leakage of almost 6,300 barrels of oil, as per information from company that owns the conduit. Oil spill has taken place in an environmental reserve. The firm OCP said it had "collected and reinjected 5,300 barrels of crude into the system" since the accident on Friday when heavy rains caused a boulder to fall on the pipeline in a mountainous region. OCP said the recovered oil amounted to 84 percent of the total that leaked, which would mean around 6,300 barrels. The oil was collected in large basins deployed as an emergency measure when there is a leak. OCP president Jorge Vugdelija said in a statement that the company was using people and machines to "collect traces of crude found in the river." Around 21,000 square meters of the Cayambe-Coca nature reserve has been affected by the leak. Crude flowed into the Coca river, one of the largest in Ecuador's part of the Amazon and which serves as a water source for many riverbank communities, including indigenous ones. "We demand to know... what will be the process of delivering water and food to the communities. It's clear that the river water cannot be used or drunk," the National Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadoran Amazon said on Twitter. The Cayambe-Coca national park is 4,000 square kilometers (1,544 square miles) of mountains and rainforest in the Amazon basin sitting between 600 and 5,790 meters (1,970 to 19,000 feet) above sea level. Heavy rains at the end of last week caused landslides and rock falls in the area of Piedra Fina, where the pipeline lies, in the eastern Napo province. The 485-kilometer-long pipeline straddles four provinces all the way to the Pacific coast in the west, transporting 160,000 barrels of oil a day from wells in the jungle. In May 2020 a mudslide damaged pipelines in the same area, resulting in 15,000 barrels of oil polluting three Amazon basin rivers, affecting several riverside communities. (With inputs from agencies)

Ecuador: Amazon oil spill measured to 6300 barrels of leakage

According to the Ecuador's environmental ministry, an oil spill has reached a nature reserve and polluted a river that supplies water to the indigenous communities.

Ecuador oil spill reaches protected area, pollutes nature reserve

A group of experts from the United Nations (UN) has arrived in Peru to help address and mitigate the damage caused by the oil spill.

UN delegation arrives in Peru to assess damage caused by oil spill

A small oil leak has been registered at a refinery off the Peruvian coast a week after a major crude spill that workers are still battling to clean up.

A small oil leak off Peru's coast while removing crude from pipeline

The devastating Tsunami that ravaged Pacific island of Tonga has sent shockwaves across the globe. From high tides in Japan and the US to oil spill in Peru, the after-effects of the under volcanic eruption has been damaging. Peru's government has declared the oil spill as the worst ecological disaster in years.

Tonga volcano: Peru beach turns black after hit by oil spill

The captain and first officer of a cargo ship that crashed into a coral reef off Mauritius, unleashing the Indian Ocean archipelago's worst environmental disaster, were sentenced to 20 months in jail.

Mauritius Oil Spill: Captain and first officer get 20-month jail terms

It has been more than a year since the Mauritius oil spill and in the latest now coming in a court in Mauritius has handed a 20-month jail sentence to the captain and first mate for freighter which crashed into a coral reef in July of 2020 causing the Indian Ocean archipelago's worst environmental disaster.

Ship captain sentenced to 20 months imprisonment over Mauritius oil spill

California's oil spill crisis has taken a bit of a toll on the commercial fishing industry and it is also affecting the tourism industry. It's been two months since the incident occurred.

United States: Officials to meet to evaluate oil crisis

California has been battling oil spill since the past many years. The oil is also contaminating the wetlands nearby.

California continues to battle oil spill

California has been battling an oil spill. The Governor of the state Gavin Newsom took a stalk of the cleanup work and pushed for clean energy.

California Governor pushes for clean energy amid oil spill

A 13-inch tear in a pipe might be reason behind California oil spill

The most prominent visible sign on Monday of the major offshore oil spill that threatened some of Southern California’s most popular beaches was a single strip of yellow caution tape blocking the water.

Not far offshore was a 13-square-mile slick that was first spotted Saturday after a pipeline failure caused at least 126,000 gallons of oil to spill into the Pacific Ocean. It was California’s largest offshore leak since 2015, when Refugio State Beach near Santa Barbara was fouled by oil after a similar pipeline break.

Dead fish and birds washed ashore in some places over the weekend as cleanup crews raced to try to contain the spill, which resulted from a failure in a 17.5-mile pipeline three miles off Newport Beach, officials said. The spill prompted fresh calls for a permanent end to offshore oil production in California, once a major oil-producing state.

The pipeline transported oil from offshore platforms owned by Amplify Energy, a Houston company that was already in a financially precarious condition.

More than 40 years old, the pipeline connects to a pumping station in Long Beach. Such pipelines are usually designed for a 25-year life, so investigators will probably examine how Amplify maintained and repaired its pipes.

Despite rising oil and gas prices, the company lost $35 million in the second quarter on revenues of $80.4 million. It has attempted to improve its performance in part by investing in its offshore operations in California, which are now suspended because of the leak.

Martyn Willsher, Amplify’s CEO, said Monday that the company believed it had found the location of the leak after inspecting 8,000 feet of pipe.

“There is no active leak that we’re aware of,” Willsher said at a news conference. “We are deeply concerned about what we’re seeing environmentally. Whatever needs to be done, we will take care of it.”

Willsher said workers from his company first saw the oil sheen on Saturday morning and began work to contain the leak. But some energy experts said the company ought to have learned of the leak before oil was visible because gauges that monitor the pressure in the pipeline should have alerted officials.

The most prominent visible sign on Monday of the major offshore oil spill that threatened some of Southern California’s most popular beaches was a single strip of yellow caution tape blocking the water.

The most prominent visible sign on Monday of the major offshore oil spill that threatened some of Southern California’s most popular beaches was a single strip of yellow caution tape blocking the water. Not far offshore was a 13-square-mile slick that was first spotted Saturday after a pipeline failure caused at least 126,000 gallons of oil to spill into the Pacific Ocean. It was California’s largest offshore leak since 2015, when Refugio State Beach near Santa Barbara was fouled by oil after a similar pipeline break. Dead fish and birds washed ashore in some places over the weekend as cleanup crews raced to try to contain the spill, which resulted from a failure in a 17.5-mile pipeline three miles off Newport Beach, officials said. The spill prompted fresh calls for a permanent end to offshore oil production in California, once a major oil-producing state. The pipeline transported oil from offshore platforms owned by Amplify Energy, a Houston company that was already in a financially precarious condition. More than 40 years old, the pipeline connects to a pumping station in Long Beach. Such pipelines are usually designed for a 25-year life, so investigators will probably examine how Amplify maintained and repaired its pipes. Despite rising oil and gas prices, the company lost $35 million in the second quarter on revenues of $80.4 million. It has attempted to improve its performance in part by investing in its offshore operations in California, which are now suspended because of the leak. Martyn Willsher, Amplify’s CEO, said Monday that the company believed it had found the location of the leak after inspecting 8,000 feet of pipe. “There is no active leak that we’re aware of,” Willsher said at a news conference. “We are deeply concerned about what we’re seeing environmentally. Whatever needs to be done, we will take care of it.” Willsher said workers from his company first saw the oil sheen on Saturday morning and began work to contain the leak. But some energy experts said the company ought to have learned of the leak before oil was visible because gauges that monitor the pressure in the pipeline should have alerted officials.

California oil spill closes beaches and renews call for drilling ban

A breach of oil rig pipeline caused a large oil spill off southern California coast and was described as an "environmental catastrophe" by the mayor of Huttington Beach. The oil spill left dead fish and birds strewn on the sand and offshore wetlands were clogged with oil. Beaches are now empty and an airshow has been cancelled.

An estimated 126,000 gallons, or 3,000 barrels, had spread into an oil slick covering about 13 square miles of the Pacific Ocean since it was first reported on Saturday morning. The beachside city, about 40 miles south of Los Angeles, was bearing the brunt of the spill.

The spill was caused by a breach connected to the Elly oil rig and stretched from the Huntington Beach Pier down to Newport Beach, a stretch of coast popular with surfers and sunbathers.

The oil rig is opearted by Beta Offshore a California subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy Corporation .

Amplify Energy CEO Martyn Willsher said at a press conference in Long Beach that the pipeline had now been shut off and remaining oil suctioned out. He said divers were still trying to determine where and why the spill occurred.

Oceana, an ocean conservation group, called for an end to offshore oil and gas drilling.

Jacqueline Savitz, Oceana's chief policy officer, said in a statement: "This is just the latest tragedy of the oil industry. It's well past time to prevent future oil spills by permanently protecting our coasts from offshore drilling."

The US Coast Guard, working with local and state agencies, flew airplanes to assess the spill and had hired contractors to clean it up.

Officials said they were investigating the cause of the spill and the type of oil involved.

(With inputs from agencies)

A breach of oil rig pipeline caused a large oil spill off southern California coast and was described as an "environmental catastrophe" by the mayor of Huttington Beach.

A breach of oil rig pipeline caused a large oil spill off southern California coast and was described as an "environmental catastrophe" by the mayor of Huttington Beach. The oil spill left dead fish and birds strewn on the sand and offshore wetlands were clogged with oil. Beaches are now empty and an airshow has been cancelled. An estimated 126,000 gallons, or 3,000 barrels, had spread into an oil slick covering about 13 square miles of the Pacific Ocean since it was first reported on Saturday morning. The beachside city, about 40 miles south of Los Angeles, was bearing the brunt of the spill. The spill was caused by a breach connected to the Elly oil rig and stretched from the Huntington Beach Pier down to Newport Beach, a stretch of coast popular with surfers and sunbathers. The oil rig is opearted by Beta Offshore a California subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy Corporation . Amplify Energy CEO Martyn Willsher said at a press conference in Long Beach that the pipeline had now been shut off and remaining oil suctioned out. He said divers were still trying to determine where and why the spill occurred. Oceana, an ocean conservation group, called for an end to offshore oil and gas drilling. Jacqueline Savitz, Oceana's chief policy officer, said in a statement: "This is just the latest tragedy of the oil industry. It's well past time to prevent future oil spills by permanently protecting our coasts from offshore drilling." The US Coast Guard, working with local and state agencies, flew airplanes to assess the spill and had hired contractors to clean it up. Officials said they were investigating the cause of the spill and the type of oil involved. (With inputs from agencies)

Oil spill due to pipeline leak hits California shores

A large oil spill off the southern California coast left fish dead, birds mired in petroleum and wetlands contaminated, prompting local officials to call it an environmental catastrophe. Watch this report for more details.

California: Oil spill an environmental catastrophe

Workers have deployed containment booms and skimmer devices as they attempt to contain a sizable oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico discovered after Hurricane Ida roared through the area, the US Coast Guard said Sunday.&nbsp;

The spill is in waters off Port Fourchon, Louisiana -- near where Ida made landfall -- in a region that is a major hub of the US petrochemical industry.&nbsp;

An oil slick now extends more than a dozen miles through the warm waters of the Gulf but has yet to reach shore, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The Coast Guard in Louisiana said it had been informed of a spill in that area and was responding, but provided few details.

Talos Energy, a Texas firm specializing in offshore oil and gas exploration, has dispatched clean-up vessels and divers to the site. The company, which had operated in the area of the spill until 2017, insisted that its equipment was not the cause of the leak.

The response team "identified a non-Talos owned 12 (inch) pipeline displaced from its original trench location, which appears to be bent and open ended," the company said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Additionally, two non-Talos owned 4 (inch) lines have been identified in the vicinity that are open ended and appear to be previously abandoned."

Talos said it is using booms and skimmers to clean up the area.

Packing winds of up to 150 miles (240 kilometers) per hour, Ida roared through Louisiana last Sunday, causing catastrophic damage, according to local authorities.&nbsp;

Downgraded later to tropical storm status, Ida nonetheless retained rare power as it rumbled through the US Northeast, leaving dozens dead.

It was in the petroleum-rich Gulf of Mexico that, in 2010, an explosion ripped through the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, touching off the worst oil spill in history.&nbsp;

Workers have deployed containment booms and skimmer devices as they attempt to contain a sizable oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico discovered after Hurricane Ida roared through the area, the US Coast Guard said Sunday.

Workers have deployed containment booms and skimmer devices as they attempt to contain a sizable oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico discovered after Hurricane Ida roared through the area, the US Coast Guard said Sunday. The spill is in waters off Port Fourchon, Louisiana -- near where Ida made landfall -- in a region that is a major hub of the US petrochemical industry. An oil slick now extends more than a dozen miles through the warm waters of the Gulf but has yet to reach shore, the Houston Chronicle reported. The Coast Guard in Louisiana said it had been informed of a spill in that area and was responding, but provided few details. Talos Energy, a Texas firm specializing in offshore oil and gas exploration, has dispatched clean-up vessels and divers to the site. The company, which had operated in the area of the spill until 2017, insisted that its equipment was not the cause of the leak. The response team "identified a non-Talos owned 12 (inch) pipeline displaced from its original trench location, which appears to be bent and open ended," the company said in a statement. "Additionally, two non-Talos owned 4 (inch) lines have been identified in the vicinity that are open ended and appear to be previously abandoned." Talos said it is using booms and skimmers to clean up the area. Packing winds of up to 150 miles (240 kilometers) per hour, Ida roared through Louisiana last Sunday, causing catastrophic damage, according to local authorities. Downgraded later to tropical storm status, Ida nonetheless retained rare power as it rumbled through the US Northeast, leaving dozens dead. It was in the petroleum-rich Gulf of Mexico that, in 2010, an explosion ripped through the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, touching off the worst oil spill in history.

Crews work to contain oil spill in Gulf after Ida's passage

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus.

20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island.&nbsp;

The government said Tuesday it had not "located" any sign of the oil spill in the areas under its control and that it had conveyed its readiness to help authorities in the north in tackling any pollution.

"Unfortunately... we have not received any information or any response from the authorities of the illegal regime, and so we remain alert," Environment Minister Costas Kadis told Cyprus News Agency.

The deputy head of the executive office in the Tartous governorate, Bassam Hamoud had said that the Tartous governor has formed a committee to deal with the pollution resulting from the leak as soon as the incident took place.

The committee was given full authority to contain the situation, he added.

Syria's electricity minister has said that the size of the leak ranged from two to four tonnes of fuel.

Although the Syrian government said the leak was small and limited, the minister of agriculture, rural development and environment in Cyprus, Costas Kadis, said on Monday that they are systematically monitoring the situation and are ready to intervene if necessary.

Syria suffers from huge fuel shortages that affects electricity. The country's government promotes the switch to alternative energy, especially solar power.

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus. 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus. 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast. Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island. The government said Tuesday it had not "located" any sign of the oil spill in the areas under its control and that it had conveyed its readiness to help authorities in the north in tackling any pollution. "Unfortunately... we have not received any information or any response from the authorities of the illegal regime, and so we remain alert," Environment Minister Costas Kadis told Cyprus News Agency. The deputy head of the executive office in the Tartous governorate, Bassam Hamoud had said that the Tartous governor has formed a committee to deal with the pollution resulting from the leak as soon as the incident took place. The committee was given full authority to contain the situation, he added. Syria's electricity minister has said that the size of the leak ranged from two to four tonnes of fuel. Although the Syrian government said the leak was small and limited, the minister of agriculture, rural development and environment in Cyprus, Costas Kadis, said on Monday that they are systematically monitoring the situation and are ready to intervene if necessary. Syria suffers from huge fuel shortages that affects electricity. The country's government promotes the switch to alternative energy, especially solar power.

Authorities warn oil spill the size of New York City can reach Cyprus

A 10 kiloliter mid-sea oil spill was reported from a Portuguese flagged container ship MV Devon, 450 km off Chennai coast. It occurred while the vessel was transiting the region, during its voyage from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Haldia, West Bengal.

Oil spill off Chennai coast, Indian Coast Guard monitoring situation

A 10 kiloliter&nbsp;mid-sea oil spill has been reported from a Portuguese flagged container ship MV Devon, off India’s eastern coast.

The spill location is about 450kms south-east of Chennai and it occurred while the vessel was transiting the region, during its voyage from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Haldia, West Bengal.

However, the vessel is stable and is continuing its voyage and is expected to reach its destination by late hours of Friday (June 18th).&nbsp;

The Indian Coast Guard(ICG) received the information on the oil spill from Maritime rescue and Coordination Center (MRCC) Colombo in the late hours of Wednesday(June 16th).

Further investigation revealed that MV Devon vessel developed an underwater crack in the left side fuel tank containing about 120 kiloliters of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).&nbsp;

As a result of this crack 10KL of oil had spilled into sea, but the crew had taken preventive action by transferring the remaining oil into another tank.&nbsp;

The vessel is carrying 10,795 tonnes of general cargo in 382 containers and manned by 17 crew of mixed nationality. ICG is in continuous contact with MV Devon and her master has reported that the vessel is stable.

ICG pollution response team at Chennai has been alerted and kept on standby. In addition, ICG ships and&nbsp;aircraft deployed at sea are also put on alert in pollution response configuration.&nbsp;

It may be recalled that&nbsp;ICG ships and&nbsp;aircraft in a coordinated operation with Sri Lanka deployed vessels had successfully undertaken a major firefighting operation last month onboard MV X-Press Pearl off Colombo, thereby averting a major environmental disaster.

That vessel, now partially sunk off Colombo, is under the supervision of Sri Lankan authorities and efforts are in hand for its salvage.

A 10 kiloliter mid-sea oil spill has been reported from a Portuguese flagged container ship MV Devon, off India’s eastern coast. The spill location is about 450kms south-east of Chennai and it occurred while the vessel was transiting the region, during its voyage from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Haldia, West Bengal.

A 10 kiloliter mid-sea oil spill has been reported from a Portuguese flagged container ship MV Devon, off India’s eastern coast. The spill location is about 450kms south-east of Chennai and it occurred while the vessel was transiting the region, during its voyage from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Haldia, West Bengal. However, the vessel is stable and is continuing its voyage and is expected to reach its destination by late hours of Friday (June 18th). The Indian Coast Guard(ICG) received the information on the oil spill from Maritime rescue and Coordination Center (MRCC) Colombo in the late hours of Wednesday(June 16th). Further investigation revealed that MV Devon vessel developed an underwater crack in the left side fuel tank containing about 120 kiloliters of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). As a result of this crack 10KL of oil had spilled into sea, but the crew had taken preventive action by transferring the remaining oil into another tank. The vessel is carrying 10,795 tonnes of general cargo in 382 containers and manned by 17 crew of mixed nationality. ICG is in continuous contact with MV Devon and her master has reported that the vessel is stable. ICG pollution response team at Chennai has been alerted and kept on standby. In addition, ICG ships and aircraft deployed at sea are also put on alert in pollution response configuration. It may be recalled that ICG ships and aircraft in a coordinated operation with Sri Lanka deployed vessels had successfully undertaken a major firefighting operation last month onboard MV X-Press Pearl off Colombo, thereby averting a major environmental disaster. That vessel, now partially sunk off Colombo, is under the supervision of Sri Lankan authorities and efforts are in hand for its salvage.

Minor oil spill 450kms off Chennai; monitoring situation closely, assets on standby, says ICG

The dramatic recent fire on a container ship off Sri Lanka highlighted the risks involved in the island nation's ambitions to become one of the world's busiest maritime transport hubs.

The MV X-Press Pearl burned for 13 days, releasing tonnes of chemicals and plastics. The sinking ship's nearly 300 tonnes of fuel oil may now leak into the Indian Ocean.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-cargo-ship-sinking-sri-lanka-faces-one-of-its-worst-environmental-disasters-in-decades-389108">With cargo ship sinking, Sri Lanka faces one of its worst environmental disasters in decades</a>

How important is Sri Lanka?&nbsp;

Thanks to its geographical location, around 200 container ships and oil tankers sail past every day on the busy routes between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

But Sri Lanka is also the biggest so-called transhipment hub in South Asia, meaning that&nbsp;some of the world's biggest ships dock in Sri Lanka to load and unload containers.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ships-of-woes-when-ship-disasters-hit-global-headlines-389497">Ships of woes: When ship disasters hit global headlines</a>

Colombo, four days by ship from Singapore and four and a half to Dubai, is the only port between those two places deep enough to handle ships with more than 18,000 containers.

What are its plans?&nbsp;

Colombo Port now hopes to double its annual handling capacity of 7.2 million containers in four years.

"We are strategically located and we are strategically important," Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) chairman Daya Ratnayake told AFP.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/floods-and-mudslides-kill-4-another-7-missing-in-sri-lanka-389637">Floods and mudslides kill 4, another 7 missing in Sri Lanka</a>

"But, we have a serious problem here, the problem is (lack of) capacity."

India is developing a deep-water port at Vizhinjam on its southwest tip and is planning another in the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, both of which may steal some of Colombo's trade.

What do other countries think?&nbsp;

Two-thirds of the transhipment cargo going through Sri Lanka is goods going from or to India, and New Delhi has traditionally seen Colombo as an ally.

However, since a big chunk of what passes through the Indian Ocean is Chinese-made, Beijing has also shown a keen interest in developing Sri Lanka as a key link on its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-braces-for-oil-spill-from-sunken-ship-here-is-what-we-know-389485">Sri Lanka braces for oil spill from sunken ship: Here is what we know</a>

Since 2014, Colombo Port has been home to a $500-million Chinese-run deep sea terminal. To pacify New Delhi, Sri Lanka this year allowed India to build another new terminal right next door.

"This is how we are balancing," Ratnayake said. "We as a country must take all this competition to our advantage."

What else is China doing?&nbsp;

Sri Lanka has also built a second deep-sea port at Hambantota on its southern tip, even closer to the ships steaming between the Malacca Strait and the Suez Canal.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/with-colombo-port-city-china-sees-a-potential-overseas-colony-in-sri-lanka-386108">With Colombo port city, China sees a potential overseas colony in Sri Lanka</a>

After Sri Lanka failed to service its debts to build the port, Hambantota has since 2017 been leased to China, alarming Western countries as well as India.

China wants Hambantota one day to resemble Shanghai and aims to develop it as a container port able to service and refuel monster container ships 400 metres (1,300 feet) long.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-sinks-deeper-into-chinas-grasp-seeks-22-billion-from-beijing-as-reserves-shrink-366221">Sri Lanka sinks deeper into China's grasp, seeks $2.2 billion from Beijing as reserves shrink</a>

Currently the port does a lucrative business as a transhipment centre for hundreds of thousands of cars every year made in India and South Korea on their way elsewhere.

What about the environment?

Plastic pellets that escaped the MV X-Press Pearl have blanketed beaches in Sri Lanka. Fishing in the area has been suspended, hitting the local economy hard.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-faces-marine-disaster-as-waves-of-plastic-from-burning-ship-wash-ashore-388259">Sri Lanka faces marine disaster as waves of plastic from burning ship wash ashore</a>

Hemantha Withanage from the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has petitioned the Supreme Court to force the government to get ready for more disasters as the ports get busier.

"We don't have the equipment and the skills to deal with another catastrophe like this," Withanage told AFP.&nbsp;

The dramatic recent fire on a container ship off Sri Lanka highlighted the risks involved in the island nation's ambitions to become one of the world's busiest maritime transport hubs.

The dramatic recent fire on a container ship off Sri Lanka highlighted the risks involved in the island nation's ambitions to become one of the world's busiest maritime transport hubs. The MV X-Press Pearl burned for 13 days, releasing tonnes of chemicals and plastics. The sinking ship's nearly 300 tonnes of fuel oil may now leak into the Indian Ocean. Also Read | With cargo ship sinking, Sri Lanka faces one of its worst environmental disasters in decades How important is Sri Lanka? Thanks to its geographical location, around 200 container ships and oil tankers sail past every day on the busy routes between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. But Sri Lanka is also the biggest so-called transhipment hub in South Asia, meaning that some of the world's biggest ships dock in Sri Lanka to load and unload containers. Also Read | Ships of woes: When ship disasters hit global headlines Colombo, four days by ship from Singapore and four and a half to Dubai, is the only port between those two places deep enough to handle ships with more than 18,000 containers. What are its plans? Colombo Port now hopes to double its annual handling capacity of 7.2 million containers in four years. "We are strategically located and we are strategically important," Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) chairman Daya Ratnayake told AFP. Also Read | Floods and mudslides kill 4, another 7 missing in Sri Lanka "But, we have a serious problem here, the problem is (lack of) capacity." India is developing a deep-water port at Vizhinjam on its southwest tip and is planning another in the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, both of which may steal some of Colombo's trade. What do other countries think? Two-thirds of the transhipment cargo going through Sri Lanka is goods going from or to India, and New Delhi has traditionally seen Colombo as an ally. However, since a big chunk of what passes through the Indian Ocean is Chinese-made, Beijing has also shown a keen interest in developing Sri Lanka as a key link on its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Also Read | Sri Lanka braces for oil spill from sunken ship: Here is what we know Since 2014, Colombo Port has been home to a $500-million Chinese-run deep sea terminal. To pacify New Delhi, Sri Lanka this year allowed India to build another new terminal right next door. "This is how we are balancing," Ratnayake said. "We as a country must take all this competition to our advantage." What else is China doing? Sri Lanka has also built a second deep-sea port at Hambantota on its southern tip, even closer to the ships steaming between the Malacca Strait and the Suez Canal. Also Read | With Colombo port city, China sees a potential overseas colony in Sri Lanka After Sri Lanka failed to service its debts to build the port, Hambantota has since 2017 been leased to China, alarming Western countries as well as India. China wants Hambantota one day to resemble Shanghai and aims to develop it as a container port able to service and refuel monster container ships 400 metres (1,300 feet) long. Also Read | Sri Lanka sinks deeper into China's grasp, seeks $2.2 billion from Beijing as reserves shrink Currently the port does a lucrative business as a transhipment centre for hundreds of thousands of cars every year made in India and South Korea on their way elsewhere. What about the environment? Plastic pellets that escaped the MV X-Press Pearl have blanketed beaches in Sri Lanka. Fishing in the area has been suspended, hitting the local economy hard. Also Read | Sri Lanka faces marine disaster as waves of plastic from burning ship wash ashore Hemantha Withanage from the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has petitioned the Supreme Court to force the government to get ready for more disasters as the ports get busier. "We don't have the equipment and the skills to deal with another catastrophe like this," Withanage told AFP.

Small Sri Lanka harbours big maritime ambitions

Greenpeace warned that a long-abandoned fuel tanker off war-torn Yemen’s coast could 'explode at any moment'. It suspects that the tanker's explosion will lead to a catastrophic oil spill.

Greenpeace: Long abandoned fuel tanker near Yemen port could 'explode at any moment'

A chemical-laden cargo ship on its way to Singapore caught fire off Sri Lanka and as a result of the burning containers it carried, tonnes of chemicals&nbsp;spilled into the Indian Ocean.

Reportedly, the MV X-Press Pearl caught fire due to a nitric acid leak, on May 20. But Sri Lankan officials believe that the ship’s crew has been aware of the leak since May 11, some nine days before the first flame.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ship-with-chemicals-plastics-onboard-sinks-off-sri-lanka-389060">Ship with chemicals &amp; plastics onboard sinks off Sri Lanka</a>

Calling this the country’s worst marine disaster, the Sri Lanka government and Navy have launched a criminal investigation.

According to the Sri Lankan police, the ship’s captain and the chief engineer, along with a third officer were questioned in an official investigation, and their passports impounded.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-to-sue-singapore-ship-owner-over-marine-pollution-388508/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The ship that burned for 13 days before finally being extinguished, was carrying 1,486 containers filled with chemicals, including 25 metric tonnes of nitric acid.

In a statement, Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said that the resulting microplastic pollution from the ship’s burning and consequent sinking could cause years of ecological damage to the Indian Ocean island. Waves of plastic waste have been washing up onto the shore for days, with navy sailors being deployed to clean the beaches of the plastic pellets.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Status quo of fire-stricken <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MVXPressPearl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MVXPressPearl</a> lying off Colombo harbour this morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilanka_navy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilanka_navy</a> together with other stakeholders working at full force to mitigate damage to marine eco-system. <a href="https://t.co/35IANdy5xf">pic.twitter.com/35IANdy5xf</a>
— The Sri Lanka Navy (@srilanka_navy) <a href="https://twitter.com/srilanka_navy/status/1397840131147460609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"This is like the coronavirus, no end in sight,"said, Sailor Manjula Dulanjala, while speaking to AFP. "We removed all the plastic yesterday, only to see more of it dumped by the waves overnight."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-faces-marine-disaster-as-waves-of-plastic-from-burning-ship-wash-ashore-388259">Sri Lanka faces marine disaster as waves of plastic from burning ship wash ashore</a>

While after days of strenuous efforts the flames on the container ship have been extinguished, authorities now face an even bigger problem. Attempting to protect marine ecosystems from what could very well be the biggest environmental disasters in decades, authorities have been attempting to tug the sinking ship further out to the sea as 350 tonnes of oil in its fuel tanks and 50 metric tonnes of gasoline threaten to leak into the Indian Ocean.

"The stern of the ship is underwater, the water level is above the deck," said navy spokesperson Indika de Silva. "The ship will be towed as further away from the coast as possible before it goes down completely."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilanka_navy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilanka_navy</a> team boarded <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MVXPressPearl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MVXPressPearl</a> to assist salvors to prepare tow. <a href="https://t.co/ieov2Lbduk">pic.twitter.com/ieov2Lbduk</a>
— The Sri Lanka Navy (@srilanka_navy) <a href="https://twitter.com/srilanka_navy/status/1399929291932979204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The ship is currently sinking in an area rich in fish. Due to the oil leak and the looming disaster, the government had to suspend fishing along a 50 mile stretch of coastline, a move that is greatly impacting the fishing community in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With thousands of families engaged in fishing, a primary career here, their trade has taken a massive hit as a result of the incident.

"The ship has dealt a death blow to our lives. We can't go into the sea, which means we can't make a living.", said Joshua Anthony, head of a region fishing union.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has sought help from Australia in evaluating the environmental damage.

"This is probably the worst beach pollution in our history," MEPA Chairman Dharshani Lahandapura said in a statement.

A chemical-laden cargo ship on its way to Singapore caught fire off Sri Lanka and as a result of the burning containers it carried, tonnes of chemicals spilled into the Indian Ocean.

A chemical-laden cargo ship on its way to Singapore caught fire off Sri Lanka and as a result of the burning containers it carried, tonnes of chemicals spilled into the Indian Ocean. Reportedly, the MV X-Press Pearl caught fire due to a nitric acid leak, on May 20. But Sri Lankan officials believe that the ship’s crew has been aware of the leak since May 11, some nine days before the first flame. Also Read | Ship with chemicals & plastics onboard sinks off Sri Lanka Calling this the country’s worst marine disaster, the Sri Lanka government and Navy have launched a criminal investigation. According to the Sri Lankan police, the ship’s captain and the chief engineer, along with a third officer were questioned in an official investigation, and their passports impounded. The ship that burned for 13 days before finally being extinguished, was carrying 1,486 containers filled with chemicals, including 25 metric tonnes of nitric acid. In a statement, Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said that the resulting microplastic pollution from the ship’s burning and consequent sinking could cause years of ecological damage to the Indian Ocean island. Waves of plastic waste have been washing up onto the shore for days, with navy sailors being deployed to clean the beaches of the plastic pellets. Status quo of fire-stricken #MVXPressPearl lying off Colombo harbour this morning. #srilanka_navy together with other stakeholders working at full force to mitigate damage to marine eco-system. pic.twitter.com/35IANdy5xf — The Sri Lanka Navy (@srilanka_navy) May 27, 2021 × "This is like the coronavirus, no end in sight,"said, Sailor Manjula Dulanjala, while speaking to AFP. "We removed all the plastic yesterday, only to see more of it dumped by the waves overnight." Also Read | Sri Lanka faces marine disaster as waves of plastic from burning ship wash ashore While after days of strenuous efforts the flames on the container ship have been extinguished, authorities now face an even bigger problem. Attempting to protect marine ecosystems from what could very well be the biggest environmental disasters in decades, authorities have been attempting to tug the sinking ship further out to the sea as 350 tonnes of oil in its fuel tanks and 50 metric tonnes of gasoline threaten to leak into the Indian Ocean. "The stern of the ship is underwater, the water level is above the deck," said navy spokesperson Indika de Silva. "The ship will be towed as further away from the coast as possible before it goes down completely." #srilanka_navy team boarded #MVXPressPearl to assist salvors to prepare tow. pic.twitter.com/ieov2Lbduk — The Sri Lanka Navy (@srilanka_navy) June 2, 2021 × The ship is currently sinking in an area rich in fish. Due to the oil leak and the looming disaster, the government had to suspend fishing along a 50 mile stretch of coastline, a move that is greatly impacting the fishing community in the area. With thousands of families engaged in fishing, a primary career here, their trade has taken a massive hit as a result of the incident. "The ship has dealt a death blow to our lives. We can't go into the sea, which means we can't make a living.", said Joshua Anthony, head of a region fishing union. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has sought help from Australia in evaluating the environmental damage. "This is probably the worst beach pollution in our history," MEPA Chairman Dharshani Lahandapura said in a statement.

With cargo ship sinking, Sri Lanka faces one of its worst environmental disasters in decades

Ship with chemicals & plastics onboard sinks off Sri Lanka

Around&nbsp;400&nbsp;tonnes&nbsp;of&nbsp;oil&nbsp;spilt&nbsp;into the Yellow Sea after a&nbsp;tanker&nbsp;collided with another ship&nbsp;off&nbsp;China's largest crude-receiving port earlier this week, maritime&nbsp;authorities&nbsp;said Thursday.

"The amount of&nbsp;oil&nbsp;spilt&nbsp;from the ship into the sea is about&nbsp;400&nbsp;tonnes, and the emergency disposal work is being carried out in an orderly manner," said Shandong Maritime Safety Administration in a social media post.

"The&nbsp;collision&nbsp;incident has had no impact on ships entering and leaving Qingdao port."

It added that 12 decontamination vessels were deployed to clean up the&nbsp;oil&nbsp;spill, which took place around 40 nautical miles (75 kilometres)&nbsp;off-shore from Qingdao port in northeast&nbsp;China.&nbsp;

Panamanian bulk carrier "Sea Justice" struck the Liberian&nbsp;oil&nbsp;tanker&nbsp;"A Symphony" near Qingdao around 9 am Tuesday, causing the&nbsp;tanker&nbsp;to lose "a quantity of&nbsp;oil", according to a previous statement from vessel managers Goodwood Ship Management.

"All crew members have since been accounted for, and there are no injuries."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-spills-off-chinas-qingdao-port-after-ship-collision-380789">Oil spills off China's Qingdao port after ship collision</a>

An unnamed official with the Maritime Safety Administration told Chinese state newspaper Global Times on Thursday that the cargo was labelled as "bitumen solution" but its specific content requires further testing.

"The&nbsp;oil&nbsp;leak is in full disposal now and if technological controls are in place, it will certainly keep the impact on the environment to the minimum," the official was quoted as saying.

After the&nbsp;collision, vessels were told not to go within ten nautical miles (18.5 kilometres) of the area, according to a separate notice by the Maritime Safety Administration.

Goodwood Ship Management said Thursday that "managers are continuing to work closely with the MSA on the clean up operation and the investigation into the incident."

It previously said poor visibility in the area was hampering&nbsp;oil&nbsp;spill clean-up efforts.

Around 400 tonnes of oil spilt into the Yellow Sea after a tanker collided with another ship off China's largest crude-receiving port earlier this week, maritime authorities said Thursday.

Around 400 tonnes of oil spilt into the Yellow Sea after a tanker collided with another ship off China's largest crude-receiving port earlier this week, maritime authorities said Thursday. "The amount of oil spilt from the ship into the sea is about 400 tonnes, and the emergency disposal work is being carried out in an orderly manner," said Shandong Maritime Safety Administration in a social media post. "The collision incident has had no impact on ships entering and leaving Qingdao port." It added that 12 decontamination vessels were deployed to clean up the oil spill, which took place around 40 nautical miles (75 kilometres) off-shore from Qingdao port in northeast China. Panamanian bulk carrier "Sea Justice" struck the Liberian oil tanker "A Symphony" near Qingdao around 9 am Tuesday, causing the tanker to lose "a quantity of oil", according to a previous statement from vessel managers Goodwood Ship Management. "All crew members have since been accounted for, and there are no injuries." Also read | Oil spills off China's Qingdao port after ship collision An unnamed official with the Maritime Safety Administration told Chinese state newspaper Global Times on Thursday that the cargo was labelled as "bitumen solution" but its specific content requires further testing. "The oil leak is in full disposal now and if technological controls are in place, it will certainly keep the impact on the environment to the minimum," the official was quoted as saying. After the collision, vessels were told not to go within ten nautical miles (18.5 kilometres) of the area, according to a separate notice by the Maritime Safety Administration. Goodwood Ship Management said Thursday that "managers are continuing to work closely with the MSA on the clean up operation and the investigation into the incident." It previously said poor visibility in the area was hampering oil spill clean-up efforts.

Tanker collision spilt 400 tonnes of oil off China coast: Authorities

A tanker carrying around one million barrels of oil products was involved in a collision near the Chinese port city of Qingdao, spilling oil into the Yellow Sea, China's Shandong Maritime Safety Administration and tanker representatives said on Tuesday.

The collision involving anchored Liberia-flagged tanker A Symphony and the Sea Justice took place at 0850 local time (0050 GMT), A Symphony's manager Goodwood Ship Management said in an e-mail.

"The force of the impact on the forward port side caused a breach in cargo tanks and ballast tanks, with a quantity of oil lost into the ocean," Goodwood said, adding all of the crew had been accounted for and there were no injuries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="China's airline suspends cargo flights bringing medical supplies to India">China's airline suspends cargo flights bringing medical supplies to India</a>

It was not immediately possible to contact the owner of the Sea Justice.

"The oil spill came after a clash between two vessels," an official at the maritime safety authority told Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirming that no one was injured.

The A Symphony, a Suezmax tanker was last seen near the Qingdao port, live shipping data on Refinitiv Eikon showed.

The tanker called at Linggi International Transhipment Hub, near Malacca in peninsular Malaysia, earlier this month, where it fully loaded oil and set sail for China, the data showed.

When contacted by Reuters, an executive at Run Cheng International Resource (HK) Co said the company owned the 150,000-tonne cargo of bitumen on board A Symphony.

Bitumen, a mixture of hydrocarbons from residue in refining, is used for road surfacing and roofing. However, shipping sources said bitumen is typically moved in smaller vessels with specialised heating rather than suezmaxes.

The 272-metre-long and 46-metre-wide oil tanker was sold in May 2019 to its new owners Symphony Shipholding SA and NGM Energy, Equasis data showed.

Symphony Shipholding SA and NGM Energy could not be immediately reached for comment.

A tanker carrying around one million barrels of oil products was involved in a collision near the Chinese port city of Qingdao, spilling oil into the Yellow Sea, China's Shandong Maritime Safety Administration and tanker representatives said on Tuesday.

A tanker carrying around one million barrels of oil products was involved in a collision near the Chinese port city of Qingdao, spilling oil into the Yellow Sea, China's Shandong Maritime Safety Administration and tanker representatives said on Tuesday. The collision involving anchored Liberia-flagged tanker A Symphony and the Sea Justice took place at 0850 local time (0050 GMT), A Symphony's manager Goodwood Ship Management said in an e-mail. "The force of the impact on the forward port side caused a breach in cargo tanks and ballast tanks, with a quantity of oil lost into the ocean," Goodwood said, adding all of the crew had been accounted for and there were no injuries. Also read: China's airline suspends cargo flights bringing medical supplies to India It was not immediately possible to contact the owner of the Sea Justice. "The oil spill came after a clash between two vessels," an official at the maritime safety authority told Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirming that no one was injured. The A Symphony, a Suezmax tanker was last seen near the Qingdao port, live shipping data on Refinitiv Eikon showed. The tanker called at Linggi International Transhipment Hub, near Malacca in peninsular Malaysia, earlier this month, where it fully loaded oil and set sail for China, the data showed. When contacted by Reuters, an executive at Run Cheng International Resource (HK) Co said the company owned the 150,000-tonne cargo of bitumen on board A Symphony. Bitumen, a mixture of hydrocarbons from residue in refining, is used for road surfacing and roofing. However, shipping sources said bitumen is typically moved in smaller vessels with specialised heating rather than suezmaxes. The 272-metre-long and 46-metre-wide oil tanker was sold in May 2019 to its new owners Symphony Shipholding SA and NGM Energy, Equasis data showed. Symphony Shipholding SA and NGM Energy could not be immediately reached for comment.

Oil spills off China's Qingdao port after ship collision

oil-spill

Oil Spill, News on Oil Spill, stories on Oil Spill, articles on Oil Spill, Oil Spill stories at Wion, Oil Spill news, Oil Spill latest news