Mauritius oil leak exceeds 1000 tons

NHK -- Aug 10

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines says it believes more than 1,000 tons of oil have leaked from a bulk carrier that ran aground off Mauritius in the Indian Ocean on July 25.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines chartered the carrier, Wakashio, which is owned by Nagashiki Shipping. The two companies held a news conference in Tokyo on Sunday.

They said one of the fuel tanks at the rear of the ship cracked on Thursday.

They said they are working to protect the waterfowl and other rare marine life that inhabit the reef by setting up oil fences to collect the fuel and prevent it from spreading.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Representative Director Ono Akihiko said the company offered its deepest apology to Mauritius and other concerned parties for the trouble it has caused.

He said his company will make its best efforts to minimize the impact.

Nagashiki Shipping President Nagashiki Kiyoaki said it is unclear how long it will take to collect the fuel, but the company will do everything it can to prevent the oil from spreading.

Aug 10 (ANNnewsCH) - 海運会社「商船三井」が運航する貨物船がインド洋の島国モーリシャスの沖合で座礁し、その後、燃料の油が周辺の海に大量に流れ出ていることが分かりました。  商船三井によりますと、先月26日、モーリシャス沖で貨物船「WAKASHIO」が座礁しました。乗組員20人は救助されましたが、今月6日、船の損傷によって燃料の重油が海に流出しているのが確認されたということです。船には重油など4000トンが積まれていました。現地メディアは、油が周辺のビーチにも流れ着いていると報じています。サンゴ礁などにも影響を及ぼす恐れがあり、モーリシャスは環境上の「緊急事態」を宣言しました。