Mauritius Coast Guard vessel Valiant (source: Indian Navy)
An LR2 tanker with more than 100,000 tonnes of cargo on board has reached port after losing power and drifting between Reunion and Mauritius
1999-built, 105,700-dwt Ocean Pride 1 lost power during a voyage from Curacao to Port Louis, Mauritius with 100,000 tonnes of fuel oil on board. The tanker drifted into the Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone on 2 September, according to the Mauritius National Coast Guard (NGC).
The Captain of Ocean Pride 1 contacted the NGC and reported there was a problem with air pressure in the main engine. Ocean Pride 1 was not allowed to enter port due to fears stemming from the Wakashio incident in July 2020, during which a bulk carrier crashed on a Mauritian reef.
Ironically, the bulk carrier Wakashio was often described by the mainstream press as a tanker. The spill the of 800 tonnes of oil from Wakashio caused an ecological disaster for Mauritius – a loss of fuel from a much larger vessel could have been worse.
In mitigation, Ocean Pride 1, as a tanker, is double-hulled.
The media in Reunion reported the tug Stark arrived 7 September 2022 from Mauritius with spare parts. Ocean Pride 1 continued to drift between Reunion and Mauritius while repairs were undertaken, but the authorities believe the tanker was no longer in danger of grounding.
The tanker is now reported to be underway using the engine, although most AIS-based reporting services have the speed at 1 knot or less.
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