The Philippine government has said it will take up to four months to clear the oil spill from the Princess Empress, a product tanker that sank in rough weather off the island of Mindoro on February 28.
Oil has been detected more than 130 km away from the site where the ship went down having lost engine power in rough weather, with authorities warning that strong currents in the area could negate the impact of oil booms which are in place where the vessel sank in depths of around 400 m.
The Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil on a domestic voyage when it sank.
Diesel fuel and thick oil from the vessel have contaminated the waters and beaches of nine municipalities along the coast of Oriental Mindoro province so far.
Marine scientists at the University of the Philippines have said about 36,000 ha of coral reef, mangroves and sea-grass are potentially in danger of being affected by the oil slick.
