Two oil tankers collided in Macau airport’s restricted area yesterday morning and the maritime authority estimated that 2,000 litres of light diesel oil was spilled into the sea.
The Maritime Administration and Customs sent assistance to the scene near the A12 buoy in the airport’s restricted area after the incident. They said the oil spill was under control at around 10am and expected that Macau’s beaches, coasts and port facilities would not be affected.
According to a press statement from the Maritime Administration, the tanker Kuok Cheong Ho (Zhongfu Trading) containing 260,000 litres of light diesel oil was sailing from Hong Kong to the Ká Hó pier, while another tanker Kuong Chau No.1 (Nam Kwong Group) that contained no oil was departing the pier. The two ships collided between buoy No. 2 in the Ká Hó channel and A12 buoy off the Macau International Airport at about 8am.
The right side of Kuok Cheong Ho was damaged and leaked 2,000 litres of light diesel oil into the sea.
No injuries were reported.
The maritime authority said the pollution prevention team was sent to stop the further spread of oil immediately after the incident and that Zhuhai counterparts also provided support at the scene.
The authority also said after using dispersants, “a majority of the oil already broke down” and “no notable grease” was seen on the water surface, expecting that the spill would not impact Macau beaches, coasts and port facilities.
An investigation into the incident has begun.
Authority’s boats remained at the scene to monitor the situation.
The Maritime Administration said in a separate statement that, together with Customs officials, between April 12 and 14 they would prosecute engineering ships that sailed across the high-speed craft channel, causing risks to the navigation safety of passenger boats.
The authority said the number of engineering ships containing construction materials has increased in Macau waters as a result of the implementation of the artificial island construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

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