Oil Spill from Sunken Cargo Ship Reaches Phuket’s Shores

Phuket —

An oil spill from a sunken cargo vessel has begun washing ashore on Phuket’s beaches, raising concerns over environmental damage and tourism.

Our previous stories:

Maritime authorities in Phuket, supported by the Royal Thai Navy, successfully rescued all 16 crew members from the Panama-flagged cargo vessel SEALLOYD ARC after the ship began taking on water southwest of Kaew Noi Island.

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has assessed that the oil spill from a Panama-flagged cargo vessel that sank off Phuket is unlikely to drift toward Thailand’s shoreline, while overall coastal seawater quality remains within normal standards.

The Pollution Control Department has issued an urgent advisory to the public following the sinking of the Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel SEALLOYD ARC, which went down southwest of Kaew Noi Island, Phuket, on February 7, 2026.

Pollution Control Department Confirms Phuket’s Seawater Quality Safe for Recreation.

Now for the update:

Local officials, led by Rawai Mayor Tems Kraitas inspected the affected areas at Koh Hey, Koh Kaew, and the wreck site. They confirmed that the spill is already impacting the coastal ecosystem and could threaten Phuket’s tourism industry if not contained.

Mayor Tems told the Phuket Express that authorities have urged boat operators and residents to immediately report any sightings of oil slicks or tar balls along the shoreline so cleanup crews can respond swiftly.

Meanwhile, a team of specialists is preparing to seal leaks from the sunken vessel. The operation had been delayed for several days due to negotiations over costs between the ship’s owner and the underwater survey team.

Officials warn that unless the leaks are contained quickly, more beaches across Phuket could be affected in the coming days.

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Phuket Express, owned by our parent company TPN media.