Australia expressed alarm Friday at the slow response from firms linked to a grounded cargo ship that has for weeks been leaking oil into a World Heritage-listed coral atoll in the Solomon Islands. MV Solomon Trader ran aground during high winds on February 5 while loading bauxite at remote Rennell Island. More than a month later, the 225-meter (740-foot) ship is still stuck on the reef and has leaked more than 70 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the sea, with another 600 tonnes still on the stricken vessel.

Australia blames firms for slow response to Solomons oil spill. (2019, March 9). Manila Bulletin, p. 5.