/Reuters Agency
Senegalese authorities are working against the clock to avoid a possible oil spill after water entered the engine room of the Panamanian-flagged tanker Mersin, off the coast of Dakar, the port authority reported.
The vessel belongs to the Turkish company Mersin Shipping Inc and is managed by Besiktas Shipping, according to London Stock Exchange Group data.
The incident, which led the ship to issue a distress signal, occurred during the night of November 27 to 28, prompting the deployment of tugs and specialized teams from the Senegalese navy and maritime authority.
The authorities did not provide details about the incident. All crew members were rescued safe and sound, with no injuries reported, according to information from the case.
“The authorities are working to stabilize the ship, prevent hydrocarbon leaks and mitigate environmental risks,” the Dakar port authority said in the statement.
It added that immediate measures included stopping the leak, transferring the fuel cargo and deploying an anti-pollution barrier around the tanker as a precautionary measure.
Images of the ship shared online showed its stern near the waterline, which could indicate it is carrying a full load or is experiencing flooding. Reuters has not independently verified the images.
