The incident occurred on April 24 when the KMTC Surabaya, a Singapore-flagged container ship, collided with the Glengyle, a Belize-flagged cargo vessel, while en route to SP-ITC Port in District 9. The Glengyle sustained major damage and leaked oil into the river, posing significant environmental and navigational risks.

During the inspection, Deputy Minister Sang called for a comprehensive response plan to contain and clean up the spill, minimize ecological damage, and restore waterway safety. He emphasized the need for inter-agency coordination, urging relevant ministries, Ho Chi Minh City authorities, and maritime regulators to work closely together.

“This is a complex, high-risk case that must be handled with urgency, professionalism, and accountability”, he stated. “We must prevent secondary pollution, identify the cause, and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.”

Rapid Response Measures Deployed

Multiple containment strategies have been implemented:

- Deployment of four layers of oil containment booms, including along a nearby canal.

- Use of oil skimmers, sorbent socks, water cannons, and vacuum pumps to collect floating oil.

- Pumping oil from the vessel’s damaged compartments.

- Preparation for partial cargo offloading and salvage operations to stabilize the Glengyle.

As of May 1, specialized recovery teams had removed significant volumes of oil and wastewater. Environmental monitoring is ongoing to assess long-term impacts on the surrounding waterways and aquatic ecosystems.

Legal and Logistical Actions

Deputy Minister Sang directed the Ministry of Transport and relevant port authorities to:

- Expedite the investigation into the cause of the collision.

- Ensure the Glengyle is safely salvaged and removed from the navigation channel to restore traffic.

- Launch legal proceedings to determine liability and require compensation from responsible parties.He also instructed Ho Chi Minh City to establish a dedicated command unit to oversee recovery efforts, report progress to the central government, and prevent recurrence of similar incidents.

“This incident must serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved in inland waterway transport”, he said.