Thai authorities have reported progress in efforts to manage the aftermath of the sinking of the cargo ship Sealloyd Arc off the coast of Phuket, following coordinated containment and recovery operations in the Andaman Sea. The vessel sank on February 7 after issuing a distress call while en route from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chattogram, Bangladesh, carrying 297 containers and an estimated 98 tonnes of heavy fuel and 32 tonnes of marine diesel oil. All 16 crew members were safely rescued before the ship went down, and none suffered injury during the incident. 

The Incident Command Center established by the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center has deployed multiple response teams, including patrol vessels, drones and divers, to survey the wreck and recover floating cargo. Survey efforts located approximately ten containers resting on the seabed and several groups of floating containers on the surface, which responders have been towing toward a barge equipped with a crane for retrieval. 

Authorities have also addressed the ongoing oil leak by deploying booms and using dispersants to manage the slick, which extends several miles from the wreck site. Current modelling indicates the refined petroleum is drifting southwest into open waters, and expert assessments suggest it is unlikely to reach Phuket’s shoreline or nearby islands, including sensitive reef areas. Government monitoring has shown seawater quality around popular beaches remains within normal standards, and pollution control officials continue to survey hydrocarbons and other indicators.

Divers have attached a warning buoy to the ship’s aft mast and continue planning operations to locate the leak source and, if feasible, seal it. Discussions are also underway regarding salvage options for the wreck amid challenging sea currents. Authorities remain vigilant, coordinating across agencies to protect coastal ecosystems while advancing container recovery and oil containment measures, emphasising that public access to recreational waters remains safe at this time.