Ennore Oil Spill

Why in news?

Two vessels collided off Ennore port and resulted in the oil spill that spread southward beyond Marina beach, about 25km from the accident spot.

What happened?

• A LPG tanker and an oil and chemical tanker collided within the port limits in Ennore on 28^th Jan 2017.
• The incident happened about two nautical miles outside the harbour.

• The port authorities initially claimed that there was no oil spill.
• However in two days a thick layer of floating oil waas found on the shoreline of the Marina beach, which is more than 20km from Ennore port.
• Later it was confirmed that One tonne oil was leaked, which resulted in floating oil slicks.
• He said steps were being taken to procure oil dispersants which will have to come from the Centre.

What is the impact?

• Ecologists assert that there will be long term negative impact of this oil spill on Chennai’s marine ecology.
• But the large disaster is being underplayed and it cannot be manually managed.
• Advanced technology, mechanized methods and rapid measures to control the spread of the oil is required.
• The INCOIS report has mentioned that the spillage has polluted 24.06km of the city’s shoreline. 
• The biggest source of toxins is through inhalation and crude oil has benzene, which is a carcinogen.
• Chennai which has two ports and yet the preparedness to handle is appalling, according to environmentalists.
• Despite knowing that a disaster is rolling out, there is still no mechanism in place which is a bigger disaster compared to the accident.

Category: Mains | GS – III | Environment & Biodiversity