N°1 Chung Mu
On 9 March 1995, the Chon Stone N°1, a cargo boat, collided with the Chung Mu N°1, a chemical tanker built in 1994 loaded with styrene monomer, in the access channel to Zhanjiang’s harbour (Southern China).
The chemical tanker N°1 Chung Mu (source: Cedre)
When
the ships collided, 208 tonnes of styrene monomer were spilled at
sea. The breach was immediately sealed by divers with wooden plugs,
however it is likely that some styrene continued to leak out gradually.
When immediate human health risks had been eliminated (styrene vapours
are neurotoxic),the risks concerning the sea environment could be
characterized by a change in the organoleptic characteristics of
the flesh of fish and shellfish. Short styrene monomers are moderately
toxic for aquatic life and bio-accumulate only to a small extent
in the environment.
The Chung Mu was immobilized by the authorities and was ordered
to provide a significant bank guarantee because of the potential
damage to aquatic species. The insurance club contracted Cedre for
two missions in China, in order to assess the damage the living
resources had undergone. This estimation allowed the insurance club
to come to an agreement with the authorities on a reasonable down
payment and the release of the ship.
Name: N°1 Chung Mu/N°1 Chon Stone
Date: 9 March 1995
Location: China
Accident area: access channel to Zhanjiang’s harbour
Cause of spill: collision
Type of pollutant: Styrene monomer
Quantity spilled: 208 tonnes
Ship type: chemical tanker
Date built: 1994
Length: 75 m
Width: 14 m
Flag: Chinese
Shell and fish market (source: Cedre)
Last update: April 2006