Chapter 18 - The Hebei Spirit Oil Spill, 2007

Abstract

The Hebei Spirit oil spill (HSOS) in December 7, 2007, was the worst oil spill recorded in Korea, with the release of approximately 10,900tons of crude oil and 375km of coastline polluted along the west coast of Korea. Immediately after the spill, and based on the National Contingency Plan, the Korean Coast Guard, together with associated agencies, organizations, and local authorities established the National Disaster Prevention and Countermeasures Headquarters. A total of 20,210 ships were mobilized, approximately 47km of oil booms were installed, and 493tons of oil adsorbent were used both at sea and for the onshore cleanup. The emergency cleanup operation was conducted by official and contract responders, as well as volunteers, and involved both massive oil containment and the removal of heavy accumulations of stranded oil, in an operation that lasted until January 2, 2008. A secondary operation was undertaken to remove subsurface oil on beaches and remote islands, and this continued until October 10, 2008. Together with the oil cleanup, a long-term natural resource damage assessment of the HSOS was initiated based on the Marine Environmental Management Act, which covers oil contamination in a multimedia environment, toxic effects on organisms, and ecosystem injury.