Last Year, Significant Decrease in Marine Pollution Substance Leakage in Gyeongnam

11% Increase in Pollution Incidents Year-on-Year, 27% Decrease in Spill Volume

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Yoseop] Last year, the amount of marine pollutant discharge along the coast of Gyeongnam significantly decreased.

On the 22nd, the Namhae Maritime Police Agency analyzed the statistics of marine pollution accidents that occurred in their jurisdiction last year. The number of accidents totaled 117, an increase of 12 cases (11%) compared to the previous year (105 cases), while the amount of pollutant discharge decreased by 20.4㎘ (27%), showing a decline for five consecutive years.

The decrease in pollutant discharge is attributed to proactive measures taken after accidents, such as transferring oil stored on ships to other vessels in advance and sealing the damaged parts to prevent leakage. The Namhae Maritime Police Agency explained that they prevented the marine discharge of 546.7㎘ of pollutants last year alone.

Looking at the number of marine pollution accidents by region, Busan recorded the highest with 60 cases (51%), followed by Ulsan with 21 cases (17.9%), and Tongyeong and Changwon with 18 cases each (15.4%).

Regarding discharge volume, Busan, which experienced maritime accidents such as flooding and sinking last year, recorded the highest at 39.4㎘ (70.1%), followed by Tongyeong with 8.9㎘ (15.8%), Ulsan with 4.5㎘ (8%), and Changwon with 3.4㎘ (6.1%).

By cause of accident, 45 cases (38%) were due to negligence such as improper valve operation during oil transfer, followed by 40 cases (34.2%) of damage, 26 cases (22.2%) of maritime accidents, and 5 cases (4.3%) of intentional accidents.

By pollution source, fishing vessels caused the most accidents with 45 cases (38.5%), followed by oil tankers with 18 cases (15.4%), other vessels with 16 cases (13.7%), and land-based sources with 13 cases (11.1%).

The number of marine pollution reports totaled 569, averaging about 47 reports per month, an increase of 553 cases (2.9%) compared to last year.

Lee Chang-geun, head of the Marine Pollution Prevention Division at the Namhae Maritime Police Agency, stated, “We will strengthen field-centered pollution control capabilities and activate a rapid response system focused on pre-leakage prevention in the event of an accident.”