KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Environmental Quality Protection Board has prevented Daewoo-Palau from removing the tugboat and a barge that slammed into a reef outside the Ngaremlengui Passage on western Babeldaob.
According to the cease and desist order issued by EQPB, Daewoo is the contractor of Tug Marine Venture and Barge Labroy 162. The vessels were reportedly loaded with gravel aggregates for Daewoo to be used in the Compact Road project.
EQPB also named IDHI Port and Shipping Corp. and Palau Sea and Air Transportation Agency as respondents.
IDHI Ports, a Philippine-based firm, was contracted to ship the materials to Palau. The tugboat and the barge, which belong to Labroy Shipping PTE Ltd., were “time chartered” by IDHI to transport the aggregates to Palau.
The grounding incident was apparently caused by strong winds and heavy waves brought by a storm earlier last week.
Strong winds forced the vessels to run aground the reef outside the channel. EQPB said the reef had been gravely damaged.
“Tug Marine Venture and Barge Labroy 162 present a danger of further damage to the reef through further movement, loss of cargo, loss of fuel or breaking up of the vessels,” EQPB said in its order.
The vessels and its crew were ordered to stay in the country until EQPB authorized them to leave.
“EQPB will (only) grant authorization when statements have been taken and EQPB believes that adequate bonding or other financial assurance to cover potential penalties, damages and restoration costs has been provided,” EQPB Executive Director Marhence Madranchar said.
Madranchar said a release from the EQPB does not authorize departure if restricted by any other office since authorization from other agencies is also required.
EQPB also ordered the respondents to advise the agency about the type of fuel and other cargo of the vessels.
Further, the agency directed the respondents to notify EQPB about the measures they will undertake so that possible discharge of fuel and further damage to the environment may be prevented.
