Oil Siphoning Operations Initiated for Sunken MTKR Terranova, Reports Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that oil siphoning operations commenced Wednesday from one of the eight tanks aboard the sunken tanker MTKR Terranova. This critical environmental protection measure follows a successful oil removal test conducted by Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., the contracted salvor.

According to Philippines News Agency, the salvor completed the installation of a flange valve plate and conducted a “hot tapping” operation to safely begin the oil transfer. During the initial test, approximately 300 liters of oil were successfully siphoned into a tank under controlled conditions, with no leaks observed. The operation also included the deployment of containment booms to minimize oil spillage in the surrounding waters.

The MTKR Terranova, which sank on July 25 in the waters off Bataan, carries an estimated 1.75 million liters of intermediate fuel oil across its eight tanks. The ongoing siphoning from one tank will soon extend to the remaining seven, aiming to mitigate any further environmental impact. The sinking of the tanker had previously resulted in a minimal oil sheen affecting the shorelines of several provinces including Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Cavite.

The Coast Guard’s update emphasizes the ongoing efforts to secure the site and prevent further oil leakage, underscoring the critical nature of the salvage operations in safeguarding marine and coastal ecosystems.