2007 South Korea oil spill

none February 2024 2007 South Korean oil spill Daesanport.png Map of Daesan port, South Korea Daesan port, South Korea 2007 12 07 Collision of crane barge with MT Hebei Spirit 330000 m2 on 33 km on thumb|right|200px|A volunteer worker collects oil from the beach thumb|right|200px|Police officers volunteering The MT Hebei Spirit oil spill was a major oil spill in South Korea that began on the morning of December 7, 2007, local time, with ongoing environmental and economic effects. Government officials called it South Korea's worst oil spill ever, surpassing a spill that took place in 1995. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2007/12/202_15206.html Worst Oil Spill The Korea Times December 9, 2007 dead April 4, 2015 May 20, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110520091038/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2007/12/202_15206.html http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/316137/1/.html South Korea battles worst oil spill ever: officials Channel News Asia December 8, 2007 December 10, 2007 December 14, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071214224854/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/316137/1/.html dead This oil spill was about one-third of the size of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7135896.stm BBC News South Korea fights huge oil spill December 10, 2007 April 22, 2010 Background At about 7:30 local time on December 7, 2007 (2230 UTC on December 6, 2007), a crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries being towed by a tug collided with the anchored Hong Kong registered crude carrier Hebei Spirit (河北精神號), carrying 260000 t ST on of crude oil. The incident occurred near the port of Daesan on the Yellow Sea coast of Taean County. The barge was floating free after the cable linking it to the tug snapped in the rough seas. Although no casualties were reported, the collision punctured three of the five tanks aboard the Hebei Spirit and resulted in the leaking of some 10800 t ST of oil.http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8FFD07BA-FC96-4272-A88F-016EB6BFD8C2.htm Tanker oil spill off S Korea coast Al Jazeera English December 7, 2007 dead December 9, 2007 December 9, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071209183511/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8FFD07BA-FC96-4272-A88F-016EB6BFD8C2.htm http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4B8CD7E8-4A7E-4723-AEB2-1FD8A8CDCE51.htm S Korea fights worst oil spill ever Al Jazeera English December 9, 2007 dead December 9, 2007 December 10, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071210063213/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4B8CD7E8-4A7E-4723-AEB2-1FD8A8CDCE51.htm The remaining oil from the damaged tanks was pumped into the undamaged tanks and the holes were sealed.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jmxiCRp0tXcdprM3rl4eVTzRDRnw SKorea oil spill fight to last months: minister AFP December 9, 2007 dead December 9, 2007 December 13, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071213174919/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jmxiCRp0tXcdprM3rl4eVTzRDRnw https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7134967.stm S Korea declares slick 'disaster' BBC World December 9, 2007 The spill occurred near Mallipo Beach (in Taean County), considered one of South Korea's most beautiful and popular beaches.http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/09/skorea.spill.ap/index.html South Korea faces 'sea of oil' CNN International December 9, 2007 dead December 9, 2007 December 10, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071210074523/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/09/skorea.spill.ap/index.html The region affected by the spill is home to one of Asia's largest wetland areas, used by migratory birds, and also contains a national maritime park and 445 sea farms. Effects It was initially believed the oil spill would not spread due to the cold winter temperatures. However, unseasonably warm weather, combined with strong waves and unexpected wind directions, caused the spill to expand beyond initial expectations. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/12/113_15224.html Clearing Oil Contamination to Take at Least Two Months The Korea Times December 9, 2007 On December 9 it was reported that the oil slick was already 33 km on long and 10 m on wide and 10 cm on 0 thick in some areas. It was also reported that at least 30 beaches have been affected and over half of the region's sea farms are believed to have lost their stocks due to the spill. Sinduri Dune, a South Korean natural treasure, is reported to have been saturated by the spill. Although most migratory birds had not yet arrived in the region, seagulls, mallard ducks and other sea life were found tarred by the oil. On December 14, the oil balls had arrived at Anmyeon-dohttp://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264575 Anmyeondo Island (안면도) December 4, 2009 May 26, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140526113154/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264575 dead (安眠島; Anmyeon Island), resulting in at least five beaches being contaminated with large tar lumps. It was believed that the oil belt was not going to go down to Anmyeon-do, but bad, windy weather was responsible for it. On December 15, the tar lumps had also floated to Boryeong (mostly around Wonsan Islandhttp://www.maplandia.com/korea-south/chungchongnam-do/wonsando-ri/ Wonsando-ri Map - South Korea Google Satellite Maps Maplandia.com Team www.maplandia.com and Sapsi Island of Boryeong) and to Gunsan in North Jeolla Province as well. Response The South Korean government declared a state of disaster in the region. The cost of cleanup has been estimated at 300 billion South Korean won (US$330 million). The cleanup involved 13 helicopters, 17 airplanes and 327 vessels.http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-31-02.asp Rehab Prospects Good After Korea's Worst Oil Spill staff www.ens-newswire.com It has also been estimated the cleanup will take at least two months. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers and celebrities including South Korean actress Park Jin-hee helped to clean up the beaches in the campaign.May 2008 As of January 4, 2008, the Navy had deployed 229 vessels and some 22,000 military personnel to help clean up the spill, in addition to civilian aid.February 2024 On January 10, 2008, the number of volunteers topped the 1-million mark to reach 1,037,000 people, 33 days after the accident occurred on December 7, according to the South Chungcheong provincial government.http://www.kois.go.kr/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no%3D20080111033 https://web.archive.org/web/20110516130658/http://www.kois.go.kr/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20080111033 dead May 16, 2011 Unknown Title The Taean office for emergency operations reported that the volunteers included 580,000 ordinary civilians, 186,700 local residents, 127,000 soldiers and policemen, and 57,143 public officials. According to the emergency office, an average of 20,000 people volunteered during weekdays and 3,000 volunteered over the weekends.https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/01/117_17071.html Number of Oil Cleanup Volunteers Top 1 Mil. April 4, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120224221028/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/01/117_17071.html February 24, 2012 By January 2008, approximately 4,153 tons of crude oil spilled had been collected by utilizing some 268,710 kilograms of oil absorbents and other cleanup devices. Financial contributions combined to 27.76 billion South Korean won (about 20 million euro) in donations, as well as food and clothing. The Taean emergency center said more than seven billion won in donations have come from about 4,200 organizations and individuals. Internationally, the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan under the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) was activatedhttp://www.nowpap.org/ NOWPAP-Northwest Pacific Action Plan www.nowpap.org following a request of the South Korean government. Among the emergency supplies available in the other three NOWPAP members (China, Japan and Russia), South Korean government, taking into account logistical issues, accepted kind offers of 50 and 10 tonnes of sorbents from China and Japan respectively. Japan has also dispatched a team of experts in addition to the teams from the Joint UNEP/OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairshttps://www.unocha.org/ OCHA www.unocha.org) Environment Unit and the European Commission Monitoring Information Center, U.S. Coast Guard and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (AUB).http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=523&ArticleID=5728&l=en/ Press Releases December 2007 – UNEP deploys team of experts to help with oil spill in Republic of Korea – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) January 11, 2008 May 16, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110516222758/http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=523&ArticleID=5728&l=en/ dead Responsibility thumb|right|200px|Volunteers cleaning up It has been reported that the regional office of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries had twice tried to warn the barge captain that the barge was too close to the tanker two hours before the incident but was unable to do so. The barge captain is also under investigation for moving through the area in rough weather. The tanker is reported to have been at anchor when it was hit by the barge, which had broken free from its towing lines. The South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and police admitted to having not provided sufficient amount of oil absorbent material to fishermen and residents as well as not having paid enough attention to the wind direction. According to a recent report, compensation will be mostly paid by China Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association (China P&I) and Skuld P&I, which are insurers for the Hebei Spirit, and some paid by Samsung Fire and Lloyd P&I. http://www.newswire.co.kr/read_sub.php?id=303615 ko:대산항 해양오염 발생현황 NewsWire December 9, 2007 Korean International Oil Pollution Funds (IOPC) will be responsible to pay if China P&I and Skuld P&I become unable to pay for the cost or if the damages exceed the shipowners limitation of liability set under an international convention. On December 20, the South Korean coast guard completed an initial investigation. According to their conclusions, blame is shared between the tug captains, the barge captain, and the captain of the Hebei Spirit. The tug captains and the barge captain are charged with negligence and violating the marine pollution prevention law. The captain of the Hebei Spirit has been charged with violating marine law.INSIDE JoongAng Daily https://web.archive.org/web/20110608030841/http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2884189 June 8, 2011 On June 24, the trial concluded. The two tug captains were found guilty, while the personnel on the barge and on Hebei Spirit were exonerated. Samsung Heavy Industries was also fined.http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200806/200806240014.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080626231742/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200806/200806240014.html Samsung Crew Guilty in Korea's Worst Oil Spill June 26, 2008 The Chosun Ilbo Controversy over continued detention of crew However, the Hebei Spirit's two most senior officers, Master Jasprit Chawla and chief officer Syam Chetan, continued to be detained in South Korea. They were found guilty of criminal negligence and sentenced to serve time in jail for 18 months (Master Jasprit Chawla) and 8 months (C.O. Syam Chetan). South Korea's detention of the crew has generated much controversy and protests from around the world.http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Shipping__Transport/Protests_against_piracy_detention_of_seamen/articleshow/3588048.cms Protests against piracy, detention of seamen October 13, 2008 The Economic TimesIndia Express: Mariners hold silent march in the City, Expressbuzz.com, 6 Oct 2008 September 2011 There have been strong protests from the shipping world and demands for the crews release, including from organizations like the International Transport Workers' Federation, International Group of P&I Clubs, BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping / International Shipping Federation, International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) and the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association.http://marinenorway.etp.no/sider/tekst.asp?side=3405 eRedaktør publiseringsløsning eredaktor marinenorway.etp.no October 30, 2008 February 18, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120218135544/http://marinenorway.etp.no/sider/tekst.asp?side=3405 dead It was finally in June 2009 that Captain Jasprit Chawla and chief officer Syam Chetan were released by the Seoul Supreme Court as firstly it was the barge that was at fault and secondly, the case did not fall under the purview of a criminal act but a civil one for which the shipping company could be fined.Months in Korean prison were a big mental trauma http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-months-in-korean-prison-were-a-big-mental-trauma-/476438/ April 12, 2023 archive.indianexpress.com Claims of Samsung, prosecutors collusion in appeal case According to Lloyd's List and other media reports, South Korean maritime officials, prosecutors and Samsung lawyers have been accused of colluding in the retrial of the two senior officers. Roberto Giorgi, president of management firm V.Ships, visited South Korea to meet with the detained Hebei Spirit crew. He told the press that he is concerned at recent developments "which point to collusion" between the South Korean authorities, prosecutors and Samsung Heavy Industries, operators of a drifting barge that collided with the oil tanker and that efforts of Samsung and prosecutors "look to be designed to ensure that the master and chief officer are found guilty on appeal," Giorgi said. "I am worried that the captain and chief officer may not get a fair trial this time around."December 2024 See also South Korea List of oil spills References 30em External links 2007 Korea oil spill South Korea oil spill – Hebei Spirit – December 2007 South Korea Category:2007 disasters in South Korea Category:Oil spills in Asia Category:Maritime incidents in 2007 Category:2007 industrial disasters Category:Industrial accidents and incidents in South Korea Category:2007 in the environment Category:December 2007 in South Korea Category:Maritime incidents in South Korea