**Cargo ship stranded off Hachinohe Port, Aomori Prefecture** - August 2021

**Cargo ship stranded off Hachinohe Port, Aomori Prefecture** - August 2021

In August 2021, a Panamanian-registered cargo ship ran aground off Hachinohe Port in Aomori Prefecture, spilling approximately 3,000 liters of fuel oil. The cargo included iron ore and grain, and there were concerns that the damage to the hull might affect the surrounding marine environment. The large dredger and oil recovery vessel "Hakusan" was dispatched to respond to the accident and quickly recovered the oil while preventing it from spreading by discharging water while sailing.

The Ministry of the Environment, Aomori Prefecture, NYK Line, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, and others cooperated in oil recovery and ecosystem protection. In addition, local environmental groups are strengthening monitoring and investigating the impact on the marine ecosystem. In response to the accident, the government has strengthened regulations based on the MARPOL Convention and is conducting drills aimed at improving emergency response capabilities. The accident highlighted the difficulty of balancing logistics and environmental protection.