Cargo vessel carrying coal rams old Toledo City port

CEBU, Philippines - A cargo vessel carrying 11,193 metric tons of coal hit the old pier of Toledo Power Corporation in Daang Lungsod, Toledo City at around 4 p.m. yesterday.

Sycamore Global-1, a vessel contracted by Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC) to transport coal has destroyed six columns or about 30 meters of the old pier.

The vessel only sustained surface damage and there was no casualty reported among the 22 crew and officials onboard as well as among personnel at the port.

Sycamore Global-1 is owned and managed by Oro Philippines Management and was supposed to transport the coal from Semirara, Antique to Cebu yesterday.

Chief Petty Officer Manuel Tapang of the Philippine Coast Guard Toledo City detachment said that they are still conducting an investigation on the cause of the incident.

As of this writing, Tapang said that the captain of the vessel, Cirilo Samson, has not issued any statement yet.

CEDC corporate communications officer Mae Melchor assured the public that incident will not affect the generation and the delivery of electric power to its consumers.

She said that the new pier of CEDC continues to accept coal deliveries for both Toledo Power Plant and CEDC.

Oro Philippines Management also assured that there was no coal spill.

International surveyors, including an underwater team will do further investigation today.(FREEMAN NEWS)