Authorities are attempting to remove 215 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from a bulk carrier, which was grounded off Gibraltar, before it spills and creates an ecological disaster according to news reports.

Published 2 years ago

The incident occured late on Monday August 29 when the bulk OS 35 carrier collided with the tanker Adam LNG, which was carrying liquefied natural gas.

Although the OS 35 was damaged, Gibraltar authorities said the ship continued to leave the Bay of Gibraltar, heading for the Strait of Gibraltar which connects the Mediterranean with the Atlantic Ocean.

According to news reports, it was at that point, the captain indicated he was taking on water. Gibraltar officials said they decided to run the carrier aground, semi-submerged, to prevent it from sinking. Port authorities tried to repair the hull but it broke in two and by Wednesday some of the fuel had begun to leak into the sea from the tank’s vents.  The captain is understood to have been arrested.

Although the ship was beached on the east side of the Rock off Catalan Bay, conservationists said the oil had seeped around the southernmost tip of the Rock towards its western shore, on the Bay of Gibraltar.

The cargo ship, was carrying 215 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, 250 tonnes of diesel fuel and 27 tonnes of lube oil. All 30 people on board were evacuated.

The Chief Minister of the British Overseas Territory told news websites that by Friday afternoon all the ship’s 250 tonnes of diesel had been removed and efforts were starting to remove the 215 tonnes of heavy fuel oil which was the most polluting fuel on board:

“I am very concerned about a potential spill and will not be relaxed until the vessel is entirely removed,” he said.

Marine biologist Lewis Stagnetto, from the Nautilus Project, said the smell of fuel was tangible outside the harbour on Gibraltar’s western shoreline on Friday.

Across the Spanish border, north of the Rock, the mayor of La Línea de la Concepción said oil had begun to reach the town’s beaches, but it had come from the ship’s machinery rather than its tanks.

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Related News:

Gibraltar Collision: Race to Remove Fuel from Stricken Ship (BBC)

Gibraltar Races to Stop ‘Significant’ Oil Leak from Ship (CNN)

Gibraltar Says Oil Still Leaking from Ship (AP)

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.