Oil Spill At Taiwan’s Keelung Port Delays Operations, Affects Multiple Ships

Port of Keelung — Image Credits: Wikipedia

Operations at Taiwan’s Keelung Port were disrupted after an oil spill occurred during a bunkering operation on March 16, 2025.

The fuel contaminated several vessels, including containerships, pilot boats, and a cruise ship. Cleanup efforts were immediately launched, and port officials worked to contain the spill while departures were delayed.

The spill happened when the Kanway Global, a 24,500 dwt containership with a 1,675 TEU capacity, was refueling at the port around 10 pm local time on Sunday night.

Per reports, the spill was caused by an overflow from the fuel barge connection, leading to approximately 100 liters of heavy oil leaking into the water near the container terminal.

The vessel built in 1998 and registered in Taiwan, had arrived from Kaohsiung on March 15.

The oil spread across multiple berths and affected several ships docked in the area, including: TS Pusan (IMO: 9854844), TS Surabaya (IMO: 9955442), YM Immense (IMO: 9319131), Norwegian Sky (cruise ship), Three pilot boats at East Pier 6.

Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) deployed containment booms to prevent the oil from spreading further, as soon as the spill was detected. Oil-absorbent materials were also used to minimise environmental damage.

Port authorities were seen using power washers and other cleaning methods to remove the oil from the hulls and mooring lines of the affected vessels by March 18.

Cleaning priority was given to ships with scheduled departures to reduce delays.

The TIPC confirmed that departures were delayed due to the spill. Three pilot boats required dry-docking for cleaning, while other ships had to wait until their hulls were cleared of oil before resuming their journeys.

The Norwegian Sky cruise ship had departed for Hong Kong by March 19, and the TS Pusan had also left after being cleaned. However, the Kanway Global and TS Surabaya were still docked at Keelung Port.

The Maritime Port Bureau has fined Kanway Lines, the owner of Kanway Global, TW$300,000 (approximately US$9,100) under the Commercial Port Law for the spill.

References: container-news, kuehne-nagel

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