The 168 meter long, 20615 dwt container ship TS Taipei broke up just offshore off Taiwan. The TS Taipei had gone ashore on March 10 after suffering engine failure.  The vessel remained hard aground while salvage operations attempted to remove fuel off the vessel. However, salvage was suspended due to a severe storm which also caused the vessel finally broke-in-two. The hull cracked amidships and fuel oil was released from ruptured bunker tanks. Authorities dispatched a pollution response team to the scene along with multiple boats. Booms were placed around the pollution to contain any further oil released. Reports also state that several containers have fallen overboard which may contain hazardous chemicals.