More than 10 tons of batteries dropped into the sea by Vinafco have not been recovered yet

Accordingly, on December 20, 2023, the Morning Vinafco ship of Vinafco Shipping Joint Stock Company transported from Chua Ve Port, Hai Phong to Ben Nghe Port, Ho Chi Minh City to deliver goods.

At 12:00 on December 22, 2023, the ship docked at Tien Sa Port, Da Nang to unload and load cargo.

At 5:30 p.m. on December 22, 2023, the Morning Vinafco ship left Tien Sa Port, Da Nang to continue its journey.

At 9:19 p.m. the same day, while moving to Cu Lao Cham, 37 containers fell into the sea.

In June 2024, the leaders of the Maritime Administration signed Official Dispatch No. 2450/CHHVN - ATANHH on verifying and investigating the incident of the Morning Vinafco ship dropping containers at sea.Accordingly, the Vietnam Maritime Administration assigned the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Authority to preside over and coordinate with the Da Nang Maritime Port Authority and other relevant agencies and units to verify the incident.

The Maritime Administration noted that “the above containers carrying cars may pose a risk of polluting the marine environment.”

Following the direction of the Maritime Administration on August 9, 2024, Mr. Ngo Quang Hung - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Authority - signed Official Dispatch No. 48/BC-CVHHTPHCM reporting the verification of the incident of the Morning Vinafco ship dropping a container at sea while traveling from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the report of the Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Authority: The above incident did not cause environmental pollution of goods. The containers that fell into the sea contained new cars (including electric cars), electronics, spare parts, paper, bricks, etc.

Despite being aware of the possible environmental pollution, the Ho Chi Minh City Port Authority recommended that the Vietnam Maritime Administration not investigate the incident in which the Morning Vinafco ship dropped containers into the sea.

Talking to Lao Dong about the issue of electric vehicle batteries, a chemical expert said that currently batteries are packaged quite tightly so they may not rust for a few months. However, after that, the chemicals in the battery can leak into the environment.

Dr. Tran Van Mieu - Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment - said that it is necessary to salvage the fallen containers and assess the environmental impact.

"No one wants containers to fall, but how people treat the environment is important," Dr. Tran Van Mieu emphasized.

According to Dr. Tran Van Mieu, batteries in cars that are left for a long time are very dangerous. Because when salt water invades, the batteries can spread out and affect the marine environment. Around the sea, coral and ecosystems can be severely affected.