Bulk carrier OS 35 (IMO 9172399), which collided with an LNG tanker off Gibraltar earlier this week and was deliberately beached, has started to leak fuel oil and has broken its back, Gibraltar authorities said on Wednesday August 31st. The collision on August 30th forced a temporary closure of the Gibraltar port.
While the hull of the OS 35 broke, authorities said that the vessel had not separated into two parts. Divers sealed two tank vents that had leaked fuel from the bulk carrier, local authorities said on Thursday.
The Gibraltar Port Authority said in its update that there had been “a substance leak from the vessel as a result of the movement arising from its break. Initial investigations indicate that this is lube oil. Current evidence suggests the fuel on board is well-contained and it is hoped that offloading can begin tomorrow (September 2nd)”.
“The Captain of the Port confirmed that the leak of low sulphur fuel oil from the tank vents is fully under control,” the Gibraltar government said in a statement.
The OS 35, loaded with steel bars and carrying more than 400 tonnes of fuel, was manoeuvring to exit the bay when it clipped the Adam LNG (IMO 9501186), which had
arrived in Gibraltar after unloading in Malta.
The Adam LNG remained at anchor near the place where the collision took place.
The Gibraltar Port Authority directed the OS 35 to the east side to ensure it could be safely beached to minimize the risk of the vessel sinking. Its 24-strong crew, and six surveyors who had been on board, have now been evacuated.
A boom has been placed around the vessel to help contain the release of any oil.
The Captain of the Port and the Gibraltar Contingency Council have now declared a Major Incident (MAJAX) under the Civil Contingencies Act which will free up more resources to respond to the incident. This includes all GPA service craft put on standby; all booms at the GPA’s disposal mobilized; two vessels deployed to begin corralling any oil that might spill from the vessel and leak from the primary boom; additional boom placed along the coastline at risk of direct impact; and the salvage master has been authorized by the Captain of the Port to re-board the vessel to collect information with the P&I on-scene commander.
Spain’s Salvamento Maritimo and the Port of Algeciras are also assisting in the response.
The salvage master had confirmed to the Captain of the Port that all fuel valves were isolated before the break occurred, the port authority said.
Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo told Spanish broadcaster TVE earlier on Thursday the operation to remove around 500 tonnes of the fuel from the ship’s tanks should take around 50 hours using the ship’s own pumps.
The Gibraltar Port was partly closed to focus its resources on dealing with the emergency. Some operations, such as the arrival of a cruise ship on Thursday, were allowed to proceed.
A survey inspection of the OS 35 before it broke confirmed a gash amidships measuring approximately 10 metres by 4 metres on the starboard side. Its bulbous bow is submerged in the sandy seabed.
2014-built, Marshall Islands-flagged, 105,975 gt Adam LNG is owned by Adam Maritime Transportation care of Oman Ship Management Co SAOC of Muscat, Oman. It is entered with North of England Club on behalf of Oman Ship Management Co SAOC.
1999-built, Tuvalu-flagged, 20,947 gt OS 35 is owned by Oldstone Cargo Ltd care of manager Oldstone Management Ltd of Piraeus, Greece. It is entered with British Marine on behalf of Oldstone Cargo Ltd.
