Sunken tanker in Busan brings risk of abandoned vessels to surface

A long-abandoned oil tanker docked in Busan Port sank into the sea on Sept. 22, unable to withstand the typhoon that hit the region the day before, bringing more than 400 millimeters (15.47 inches) of heavy rain.

An oil tanker sank into the sea at Busan Port around 12:20 a.m. on Sept. 22, causing bunker fuel from inside the ship to spill into the sea. [BUSAN COAST GUARD]

A long-abandoned oil tanker docked in Busan Port sank into the sea on Sept. 22, unable to withstand the typhoon that hit the region the day before, bringing more than 400 millimeters (15.47 inches) of heavy rain.

The accident caused pollutants, such as bunker oil, to spill into the sea. Upon receiving the report, the Busan Coast Guard responded by setting up an oil fence to prevent the spread of the leaked oil and conducted an emergency cleanup operation using oil-absorbing materials.

Long-term moored vessels pose risks

According to an investigation by the Busan Coast Guard, the sunken 42-ton oil tanker had been abandoned at Pier Five of Busan Port since July 2021. The ship was not insured, and even though containment and salvage operations have been completed, they have yet to reach the ship owner. As of July, 160 vessels were in long-term mooring at Busan Port, similar to the sunken tanker, the Busan Port Authority (BPA) said Saturday. Ships with no record of being docked or manned for more than one year or have ceased operation without movement for more than six months are classified as long-term moored vessels.

Some of these long-term moored vessels are said to pose a risk of accidents. "Many long-term moored vessels are small refueling ships or nonpowered barges, moored after the ship owner filed reports for reasons such as lack of work," stated a BPA official.

"However, some of these vessels are old, the owners are out of contact, and there are issues like unpaid port facility fees,” the official added. “During unusual weather events such as heavy rains, there is a risk of similar accidents."

These vessels are not adequately maintained, emit strong odors and have become eyesores. Handling them is difficult because they are private property, and salvaging costs are high. Salvaging a mortgaged ship is incredibly complicated since it requires all stakeholders, including the ship owner and mortgage holders, to agree to its disposal.

Although the BPA manages the port, only the Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries has the legal authority to order the movement of ships or execute compulsory removal, which has been identified as a difficulty in addressing the long-term moored vessel problem. A long-term moored ship has never been forcibly removed or dismantled through administrative enforcement.

Ships taking shelter at Busan Port's Pier Five after typhoon SanSan made landfall on the Japanese mainland on Sunday. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Removing high-risk vessels

Several related agencies have met multiple times to discuss ways to address the issue of long-term moored vessels, but no solution has been found. However, in light of the oil tanker incident, these agencies agreed to start by handling high-risk long-term moored vessels in Busan Port that are over 40 years old, damaged, or tilted, posing a significant risk of accidents.

"We have issued a movement order for seven high-risk vessels, requiring them to be relocated by the end of next month,” a representative from the Oceans and Fisheries Office said. “If this is not followed, we will send a notice of enforcement, after which the Oceans and Fisheries Office will take compulsory action, claim compensation, or proceed with the public auction of the ship."

The BPA has decided to strengthen pre-emptive safety measures through joint inspections with the Coast Guard for high-risk long-term moored vessels whose owners cannot be located. The authority also plans to amend the regulations on Busan Port operations to adjust the permit requirements for mooring facilities and work with port agencies to create a system for the integrated management of information on ships that have ceased operations.

"For long-term moored vessels that pose safety and marine pollution risks, we will improve the system and establish systematic management regulations to enhance order in the port," said a BPA official.

BY KIM MIN-JU [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]