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To mitigate the oil pollution crisis caused by the grounding of the Chinese-registered cargo ship Yu Zhou Qi Hang near Yehliu, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) has followed the directive of Minister Shih-Kai Chen of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and instructed the shipowner’s insurance provider to commission a professional maritime contingency team. Prioritizing safety, the contingency team took advantage of recent favorable weather conditions to actively extract heavy fuel oil, which poses a high pollution risk. To address the challenges of extracting viscous heavy fuel oil in cold winter conditions, the MPB urged the contingency team to use appropriate equipment to improve extraction efficiency. As of 12:00 noon on December 3rd, a cumulative total of 197.7 tons of residual oil had been extracted, comprising 188.21 tons of heavy fuel oil and 9.49 tons of diesel, completing approximately 70% of the oil extraction process. Because of worsening sea conditions and increasing wave intensity, the extraction team temporarily suspended operations to ensure safety. Moving forward, the necessary vessel and equipment will remain on standby to promptly resume extraction activities as soon as weather conditions improve. The goal is to fully extract the remaining residual oil as quickly as possible, thereby mitigating the risk to the environment and marine ecology.

To address the unpredictable sea conditions caused by the northeast monsoon while ensuring operational safety, oil extraction is being conducted in multiple stages and phases. The contingency team has been instructed to complete the sealing of the original fuel tank ventilation holes and any newly drilled extraction holes before each withdrawal to prevent seawater intrusion that could cause oil spills. According to a forecast by the Central Weather Administration, the next extraction window is expected to be between December 9th and 10th. The MPB will continue to urge the contingency team to make full use of every operational window allowed by favorable sea conditions, expediting the extraction process to complete the removal of 290 tons of residual oil as soon as possible. Regarding the removal of the vessel and its bridge crane, the MPB has set a deadline for the shipowner and the hull insurance company to submit a cargo removal plan. Once submitted, the MPB will coordinate with relevant agencies to review the plan and proceed with the cargo removal operations. The objective is to promptly restore the natural appearance of the Yehliu geological landscape and protect the marine ecological environment and fisheries resources.

To reduce the risk of an oil spill, a comprehensive review of the oil extraction plan was conducted by the Ocean Conservation Administration, New Taipei City Government, and Keelung City Government. Preparations for cleanup vessels, equipment, and personnel training were finalized. In the event of an oil spill, containment and cleanup measures will be deployed. Oil containment booms, absorbent pads, oil-absorbent balls, and oil skimmers will be deployed to control the spread of pollution and expedite the cleanup process. Additionally, a forward command post has been established on-site with the participation of the MPB and other relevant agencies to monitor the situation in real-time. The contingency team has been instructed to closely monitor the vessel’s condition and the surrounding environment using CCTV and drone surveillance. In accordance with the regulations of the Ocean Conservation Administration, the shipowner’s insurance provider is required to conduct daily patrols along the 38-kilometer coastline from Jinshan to Ruifang. Furthermore, daily inspections are mandated for the deployment status of pollution control equipment at 16 fishing ports in Jinshan, Wanli, Keelung, and Ruifang and at sensitive locations, such as Yehliu Geopark, Dawulun Beach, and the Second Nuclear Power Plant. These measures aim to ensure a swift and effective response to any oil spill emergencies.

To preserve the precious geological ecology and environment of Yehliu, the MPB will continue to adhere to Minister Chen’s directive, urging the insurance provider and the contingency team to actively carry out the oil extraction operations. In addition, the MPB will convene daily meetings with relevant agencies to closely monitor the progress of residual oil extraction. Through coastal inspections and water quality monitoring, the MPB will maintain a thorough understanding of on-site conditions. Progress updates on the operation will be proactively communicated to the public through the official website to ensure transparency and inform stakeholders of the latest developments. The oil extraction process has been successfully initiated, and the MPB will continue to track weather and sea conditions, urging the contingency team to expedite the oil removal operations. The goal is to complete the extraction of all residual oil as soon as possible and comprehensively eliminate the oil pollution risk.

Contact person: Jung-Kun Chao, North Maritime Affairs Center; Chun-Yeh Tsai, Maritime Safety Division

Contact number: 02-89783515、02-89782563