Efforts are currently underway to contain any possible oil spill after the sinking of the container ship, Southern Phoenix just off Kings Wharf in Suva on Saturday morning.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji says it is still carrying out continuous assessments to monitor any possible oil spill.
The Authority is also investigating the cause of the sinking.
Authority’s CEO John Tunidau says their emergency response teams with the help of fellow authorities, deployed specialised oil spill booms to ensure that damage to the marine environment is minimised.
After the deployment of the oil spill booms, divers were deployed to plug the breathers for oil tanks in order to prevent further leakages.
Meanwhile Fiji Ports Corporation Limited says salvage operations of the Southern Phoenix will continue at the Suva Harbour today.
Salvage operations started yesterday after Fiji Ports Corporation Limited stated that preliminary assessments confirmed minor oil seepage from the hydraulics and diesel but is not classified as a major threat to environment.
It has also been revealed that the sunken vessel has 183 tons of heavy fuel oil, 30 tons of medium diesel oil, 179 cargo containers, break bulk cargo and other cargo.
All floating loose cargo containers have been secured and confined to the south end of the Suva Wharf.
