The ship had been carrying a significant amount of fuel, so there were fears that "Selendang Ayu" could create the worst Alaskan oil spill since "Exxon Valdez". One tank containing of fuel ruptured when the ship broke apart. It is estimated that of heavy bunker C fuel oil and of diesel fuel was on board when she grounded. Ultimately, of bunker oil and diesel spilled, which is about 2.9% of the volume of crude oil spilled from "Exxon Valdez". The crew had transferred the fuel internal tanks when the ship foundered, and heaters were turned off so that the fuel would thicken in the cold waters. However, environmental officials estimate that up to 1.28 million liters of thick fuel oil () leaked from the freighter.