On September 8, the Philippine Coast Guard announced that nine new valve leak points were discovered on the “Terranova” oil tanker (carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel), which sank in Manila Bay in July 2024. The leaked fuel has formed a 3.7-kilometer-long oil slick, spreading with monsoon winds and ocean currents into ecologically sensitive areas. This has caused a 30% decline in coral coverage and mass mortality among benthic organisms like shellfish and rock crabs. Although divers have completed the application of a second layer of sealant, the tanker lies at a depth of only 34 meters, and fully pumping out the fuel will still require more than seven days. Philippine President Marcos has ordered the activation of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and requested technical assistance from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
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