Environmental Support for Fuel Removal Operation

This document is a case study detailing the environmental support provided by Sulmara for a fuel removal operation off the coast of Taiwan. In October 2024, the heavy transport vessel Yu Zhou Qi Hang lost power during a typhoon, resulting in the grounding of the vessel with significant amounts of heavy and light fuel oil on board. The Taiwan Environmental Protection Department faced challenges in ensuring the safe extraction of the fuel to prevent environmental damage. To address this, Taiwanese marine contractor Dong Fang Offshore was contracted to deploy the Orient Constructor for salvage operations. Sulmara's WAM-V 16 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) was mobilized within 24 hours to conduct a seabed survey, providing critical bathymetric data necessary for safe navigation. Despite adverse weather conditions, the USV successfully completed its mission, allowing salvage operations to proceed efficiently. The quick response and use of unmanned systems minimized risks and ensured the successful removal of fuel within a week.