A Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier veered off course and ran aground in waters north of Awaji Island in Osaka Bay, Japan. The ship’s right-side heavy fuel oil tank was damaged, causing a large amount of marine fuel oil to leak into the sea. A brown oil slick stretching several kilometers formed on the water’s surface and is drifting toward nearshore aquaculture areas carried by ocean currents and wind. The area surrounding the incident is dotted with nori and oyster farms, putting hundreds of aquaculture operators at risk of losses. Fisheries authorities have notified the operators to take protective measures in advance.
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