Keelung Port Operations Resume After Oil Spill Disrupts Activities

Operations at Taiwan’s Keelung port have resumed following an oil spill during a bunkering operation that disrupted activities. The spill occurred on March 16 while the regional containership Kanway Global was refueling, resulting in the fouling of four containerships, a cruise ship, and the port’s pilot boats. Booms were deployed to contain the spill, which was reportedly an overflow from the barge connection, with approximately 100 liters of fuel spilling in the area.

Port officials were seen on Monday applying absorbent materials and cleaning up the oil, as well as power-washing the hulls of the affected vessels. The Taiwan International Ports Corporation confirmed delays in departures and impacts on operations at the port. Vessels like TS Line’s TS Pusan and TS Surabaya, as well as Yang Ming’s YM Immense, were in the impacted area, with the cruise ship Norwegian Sky also affected.

As of late Tuesday, the Kanway Global and TS Surabaya remained in port, while the Norwegian Sky had departed for Hong Kong and TS Pusan had been cleaned and permitted to depart. Three pilot boats were also impacted and would require dry docking for cleaning. Port officials aimed to complete the cleanup by Tuesday and expected normal operations to resume soon. Kanway Lines reportedly faced a fine of around US$10,000 for the incident.

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