The grounded containership TS Taipei has sustained a major rupture in its hull and is now at risk of capsizing off Shimen, Taiwan, according to Taiwanese Environmental Protection Department.
The 2006-built boxship, which ran into trouble on March 10 when it lost propulsion, could not be salvaged due to inclement weather conditions.
The authorities managed to pump out some of the vessel’s diesel fuel since the grounding, however, TS Taipei still has 242 cubic meters of fuel, 37.5 cubic meters of lubricants and 35 cubic meters of waste water, as well as 614 containers aboard.
TS Taipei, managed by TS Lines, initially suffered breaches in the aft part while one of its fuel tanks was damaged, causing an oil spill in the area.
The coast guard and other related personnel will continue to monitor the operations and remain on standby at the site.
Following the incident, the vessel’s 21 crew members were airlifted by Taiwan Coast Guard’s helicopter and there were no reports of injuries to the crew.
The 20,615 dwt vessel grounded on a rocky shallow while it was on its way from Taiwan’s Keelung to Taichung.
Relevant authorities launched an investigation into the incident.
World Maritime News Staff