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Due to the impact of Typhoon Kong-rey, the sea conditions surrounding Taiwan have become extremely harsh, with maximum gusts reaching level 17 and wave heights exceeding 6 meters. On October 29th, the Chinese-registered cargo ship “Yu Zhou Qi Hang” announced abandonment after it drifted due to anchor drifting. On October 31th, it ran aground along the coastline of Yehliu Geopark. After accompanying the President for the sixth meeting of the Central Emergency Operation Center’s work briefing regarding Typhoon Kong-rey, Minister of Transportation and Communications Shih-Kai Chen rushed to the site for an inspection. He, along with legislator Hsian-Shiang Liao, reviewed the ship’s emergency response status. They were briefed on the situation by Director-General Hsieh-Lung Yeh of the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) and Director Yu-Chuan Chen of the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area, among other relevant personnel. Currently, the ship is aground at an angle on its right side. Some of the bridge cranes have collapsed, but fortunately, its fuel tanks are located on the left side, and the fuel valves have been closed. Preliminary assessments indicate that there is no oil contamination at the scene.

Minister Chen specifically instructed the MPB to prioritize operational safety for frontline personnel while adhering to principles of timeliness, effective pollution prevention, and expedited oil extraction. He directed that oil extraction operations commence without delay. Emphasizing the need to strengthen oil spill prevention and environmental monitoring, Minister Chen highlighted that the stranded ship contains up to 290 tons of residual oil. The MPB is to collaborate actively with the Ocean Conservation Administration and New Taipei City Government to ensure adequate anti-pollution materials are prepared. Additionally, inspections of the coastlines near Yehliu, including Jinshan, Wanli, and Ruifang, should be intensified. If oil contamination or any abnormalities are detected, emergency measures such as decontamination must be executed immediately to mitigate the impact of residual oil on marine and coastal ecosystems.

Minister Chen noted that Yehliu Geopark and its surrounding areas are internationally renowned tourist destinations, with valuable geological resources. He instructed the MPB and the Tourism Administration to proactively coordinate with relevant agencies to address the situation effectively, assisting in monitoring site conditions and reporting any abnormalities promptly to the relevant authorities. Minister Chen also cautioned that, given the grounding of the “Yu Zhou Qi Hang,” emergency towing operations carry high risks. He urged the MPB to prioritize the deployment of oil booms and the preparation for oil extraction operations. Throughout these efforts, rigorous monitoring of the site must be maintained to minimize the impact on marine and coastal ecosystems.

The MPB explained that the “Yu Zhou Qi Hang,” with a gross tonnage of 9,968, reported drifting at the earliest opportunity. In response, an emergency response team was established in accordance with the Marine Disaster Prevention and Rescue Plan. The team coordinated with the Coast Guard Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council, Ocean Conservation Administration, and the New Taipei City Government to address the incident. On October 29th at 9:50 p.m., all 17 crew members were successfully rescued. Five emergency response meetings were convened, and Director-General Hsieh-Lung Yeh of the MPB visited the site on October 30 in the afternoon to oversee pollution prevention efforts. During the on-site inspection, it was confirmed that the fuel tank valves had been shut off before the crew left the ship. The remaining fuel quantity was assessed, and fuel tank layout diagrams were secured. Anti-pollution materials were deployed in advance at Yehliu, Dong-ao Fishing Harbor, and the Second Nuclear Power Plant to minimize environmental impact. With weather conditions expected to improve on November 1st, the MPB has instructed maritime operators to seize the opportunity to initiate oil extraction operations immediately. An advance command post has been established to monitor and manage the situation in real-time.

To safeguard the precious geological ecology and environment of Yehliu, Minister Chen has instructed the MPB to continue convening response meetings with relevant agencies to closely monitor the position and condition of the “Yu Zhou Qi Hang.” He emphasized the need to ensure that the shipowner and the P&I Insurance diligently carry out pollution prevention operations. These efforts must prioritize the safety of personnel involved while ensuring the comprehensive execution of pollution control measures. Additionally, remote imaging systems, drone aerial surveys, and water quality monitoring have been planned as part of the environmental monitoring operations. These measures aim to maintain strict oversight of the surrounding environment, enabling immediate emergency response in the event of abnormalities. The goal is to resolve the marine and coastal pollution risks as swiftly as possible.

Contact person: Chun-Yeh Tsai, Maritime Safety Division

Contact number: 02-89782563