EU, UN confirm toxic substances in waters around capsized ferry

MANILA, Philippines – A joint European Union-United Nations team of experts sent to the country to assess the situation of the M/V Princess of the Stars, which capsized off Romblon last June 21, has confirmed the presence of large quantities of five pesticides and other toxic substances in the ferry’s cargo hold.

In its report, the EU-UN team also recommended the improvement of water sediments and air monitoring in the accident site to avoid an environmental disaster.

At the same time, it called for the establishment of a bio-monitoring program and a comprehensive disposal plan before the start of any salvage operation.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “So far, no leakage of chemicals or oil from the wreck has been detected. I hope that the suggestions made by our experts concerning sampling procedures, bio-monitoring and precautionary measures will help ensure that this dreadful tragedy does not also turn into an environmental disaster.”

“This tragic accident underscores, once again, the crucial role of prevention and the importance of preparedness and contingency planning with regard to industrial and technological emergencies, including maritime accidents,” said Vladimir Sakharov, chief of the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU).

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the European Commission Delegation in Manila, and United Nations Resident Coordinator Nileema Noble thanked the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and other government agencies for their cooperation in the course of their work.

They said that the EU and the UN were glad to have been helped by the DOTC in looking into the safety risks associated with the hazardous chemicals contained in the wreck.  

However, they added “this terrible disaster confirmed the need for improvement in the safety practices of the inter-island shipping industry in the Philippines.”

With the latest sea disaster, Australia advised its nationals to avoid sea travel in the Philippines, saying “it is hazardous because ferries lack necessary life-saving equipment.”

“Sea travel in the Philippines is hazardous. You should not travel on ferries unless no other means of travel is available. Ferries are often overloaded, lack necessary life-saving equipment, and are not adequately maintained. Storms can develop quickly,” the advisory said.

An officer of a port management company said that when the container van carrying the toxic pesticide endosulfan arrived at the Port of Manila, it was properly marked as a dangerous shipment, Rico Cruz, terminal manager of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), told the six-man member of the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) that reconvened yesterday.

“When it (cargo) arrived, its official classification was DG6, meaning that it was poisonous. Based on the documents that we received, it was declared as dangerous cargo,” said Cruz.

“This is precisely why when the 40-foot container van arrived at the port, they stored it in a separate yard. The shipment would be delivered to Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) in Bukidnon.”

“In fact, they even took a picture of the container van when it left the ICTSI property on June 19. It is a standard operating procedure for the company to take pictures of the shipment just before it is brought out of the gate.”

Princess of Stars owner Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) claimed that the container van did not bear the proper markings when it was loaded on board its cargo-passenger ferry.

SLI spokesperson attorney Ma. Victoria Lim-Florido downplayed Cruz’s testimony, saying that there were two legs to the shipment – one from Israel to Manila and one from Manila to Cagayan de Oro.

“What we are concerned about is the shipment from Manila to Cagayan de Oro. There should have been a separate declaration for that,” she said. – Pia Lee-Brago, Evelyn Macairan