Tokyo planned to send officials to assist Mauritius oil spill

Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced Saturday that they are preparing to send a team of environmental ministries and specialists to Mauritius soon to respond to the oil spill.

A Japanese bulk carrier struck a coral reef off Mauritius on July 25, spilling about 1,000 tons of fuel oil and causing a state of "environmental emergency" in what some scientists call the country's worst ecological disaster.

The ship, MV Wakashio, is owned by the Japanese Nagashiki Shipping Company and chartered by Mitsui OSK Lines.

Maritime Business World