1,000-Ton Fuel Spill Threatens Taiwanese Maritime Park

More than 1,000 tons of fuel have leaked from a tanker that sank last month near a maritime park in what could be the worst oil spill off Taiwan in decades, a leading newspaper reported Sunday.

The Greek-registered Amargos sank Jan. 14 near the southern resort of Kenting, the United Daily News said. Kenting is about 185 miles from Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.

Officials could not be reached for comment Sunday, but the newspaper quoted shipping officials as saying some 200 tons of oil remain stored in the tanker’s hull.

The fuel slick is threatening dolphins and other marine life at the Lungkeng Ecological Protection Area in one of Taiwan’s most popular national parks, the report said. Environmental officials have called in international experts to help with the spill, it said.

The park’s marine ecology “could be destroyed” if emergency measures are not taken soon, Chiu Wen-yen, professor of ocean science at National Sun Yat-sen University, told the newspaper.

The 35,000-ton vessel had mechanical problems while traveling from Singapore to the eastern Chinese port city of Nantong. The ship drifted into high seas and then broke in two, the newspaper said.

All 25 crew members were rescued.

Park officials were considering criminal action against the shipping company, and the ship’s senior crew members have been barred from leaving Taiwan, the newspaper said.