{"id":11057,"date":"2025-06-07T19:02:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T19:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=11057"},"modified":"2025-06-07T19:02:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T19:02:12","slug":"20000-litres-of-oil-spilled-into-gulf-of-thailand-after-supertanker-disconnects-from-pipeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=11057","title":{"rendered":"20,000 Litres Of Oil Spilled Into Gulf Of Thailand After Supertanker Disconnects From Pipeline"},"content":{"rendered":"

20,000 Litres Of Oil Spilled Into Gulf Of Thailand After Supertanker Disconnects From Pipeline
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Image Credits: National Maritime Interests Protection Center\/Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A sudden storm off the coast of Thailand caused a supertanker to disconnect from an offshore pipeline late at night on June 5, leading to a crude oil spill of up to 20,000 litres into the Gulf of Thailand. Cleanup operations involving several government agencies and private companies began immediately and are still ongoing.<\/p>\n

The Phoenix Jamnagar, a Singapore-registered supertanker owned by Japan\u2019s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and chartered to Thai Oil Public Company Limited, was unloading crude oil at SBM 2 (Single Buoy Mooring) off the coast of Si Racha District in Chonburi Province, when severe weather struck the area shortly before 1:00 am.<\/p>\n

High waves and strong winds hit unexpectedly, activating the ship\u2019s breakaway coupling system, which is designed to disconnect automatically during emergencies to protect the ship and the offshore pipeline. However, the disconnection caused a leak in the pipeline system, and the oil spilled into the sea during the 30-minute process of shutting down the transfer.<\/p>\n

The National Maritime Interests Protection Center (ThaiMecc) initially estimated the spill at 10,000 litres, but later updates doubled the figure to 20,000 litres of crude oil, which equals around 4 to 5 tons. The Marine Department confirmed that the incident took place at coordinates 13\u00b004.225\u2032 N, 100\u00b046.815\u2032 E, and the oil slick was drifting southward at 1 to 2 knots.<\/p>\n

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Image Credits: National Maritime Interests Protection Center\/Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A visual inspection revealed a 10-meter by 10-meter oil slick, which spread across an area of 20 to 30 square kilometers outside the immediate containment zone.<\/p>\n

The Marine Department, acting under the Prime Minister\u2019s Office Regulations on Water Pollution Management from Oil and Chemicals (B.E. 2565), issued an urgent request for cooperation to the Secretary-General of the Center for the Protection of National Maritime Interests.<\/p>\n

The Department assigned Ms. Jittima Suthiphotiphong, an environmental specialist, as the coordinator for the cleanup operations and confirmed that the MWA (Marine Water Authority) was overseeing pollution control and response efforts.<\/p>\n

A two-tier containment boom system was quickly deployed around the spill, an inner circle at 300 meters and an outer circle at 600 meters. A skimmer device was also installed within the boom zone to suction the oil off the surface, with cleanup targeted for completion by Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Outside the containment boom, Thai Oil, along with Bangchak, PTT, the Royal Thai Navy (HTMS Tachai \u2013 Navy Area 1), the Chonlatharanurak team (Harbour Department), and a high-speed boat (SRC 4008) were mobilized. The response included manual water stirring techniques and aerial deployment of oil dispersants via Navy helicopters.<\/p>\n