Grounded TS Lines Cargo Ship Splits in Two Off Taiwan

TS Teipei split in two off coast of Taiwan.

A grounded cargo ship has split in two and is leaking fuel oil a little more than two weeks after becoming stranded along the coast in northern Taiwan.

The vessel, owned by TS Lines, ran aground in rough weather near New Taipei City, Taiwan on March 10. All 21 crew members were rescued safely from the ship.

According to reports more than 100 workers are in the cleanup and containment effort of the oil slick from the vessel.

TS Taipei crack — Photo credit: Taiwan EPA

You may recall the scary video of a search and rescue helicopter that crashed over the bow of the ship during the initial response, killing the pilot and one other person. Three others walked away from the crash unharmed.

The salvage operation has focussed on the removal of fuel, however heavy weather has hampered pumping operations allowing for only six days of pumping.

The ship was carrying 447 tonnes of fuel and 617 containers when it ran aground. The Taiwanese Environmental Protection Administration reports there are still over 200 tonnes of fuel aboard the ship.

The fuel slick has already fouled more than a mile of coastline, according to media reports.