Fears of environmental disaster off Gibraltar as hull of beached ship carrying over 400 tonnes of fuel breaks after slamming into gas carrier
- Tuvalu-registered ship was leaving Gibraltar when it hit the ADAM LNG vessel
- It is now sinking 17 meters (56 feet) off the coast with 183 tonnes of heavy fuel oil
- Port was closed for hours but has reopened while authorities try to prevent spill
The hull of the bulk carrier ship beached off the coast of Gibraltar has broken, the Government of Gibraltar announced this afternoon amid fears of an environmental disaster.
The vessel OS 35, loaded with steel bars and carrying over 400 tonnes of fuel, slammed into the ADAM LNG, which now has a superficial dent, as the former was moving to exit the bay on Monday night.
The Tuvalu-registered ship with 30 people on board – who have now been evacuated – was heading to Vlissengen in the Netherlands and is now resting on the seabed 17 meters (56 feet) off the coast.
No one was injured in the ship crash but it did force the closure of the busy shipping port on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula for four hours, authorities said.
The British territory’s government said this evening that attempts to remove the oil from the vessel have so far failed, the hull has broken, and the ship is likely to start separating.
A tug boat sits behind the Tuvalu-registered OS 35 cargo ship lying on the seabed off the shore of Gibraltar on Tuesday
Crew members stand on the half sunken cargo ship OS 35 in Catalan Bay after its collision with LNG tanker. The 24 crew and 6 surveyors who were on board at the time, have been evacuated safely
The Gibraltar Port Authority directed the OS 35 with 183 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, 250 tonnes of diesel and 27 tonnes of lube oil to the eastside to ensure it could be safely beached to minimise the risk of the vessel sinking.
Booms have been deployed and a 200-meter exclusion zone set up to prevent any potential fuel spill.
A spokesman for the Gibraltar government said the cargo vessel was resting on the seabed in 17 meters (56 feet) of water close to the coast and carrying steel bars.
The Marshall Islands-flagged ADAM LNG arrived in Gibraltar after unloading in Malta. It remains at anchor near the place where the collision took place.
People bathe near the place where the cargo ship’s hull has been broken
The Red and White Ship (Adam LNG) is the other ship in the collision, also pictured anchored off Gibraltar
A man lies down on the sand as Cargo ship OS 35 is half sunk
A man approaches with his paddle surf board to get a closer look at the Tuvalu-registered OS 35 cargo ship lying on the seabed, offshore Gibraltar
Cargo ship OS 35 is half sunk in Catalan Bay after colliding with LNG tanker ADAM LNG near Gibraltar
The Union Jack flag waves in front of the half sunk cargo ship
A Government of Gibraltar statement, released on Wednesday, reads: ‘The hull of the Bulk Carrier OS 35 has broken. The two sections of the vessel have not yet fully separated.
‘There was a clear risk that this would occur. It was for this reason that urgent attempts were being made to remove fuel from the vessel. This has not yet been possible.
‘The OS 35 is already surrounded by an ocean boom that should contain any spill of oil which may occur.
‘No oil spill appears to have occurred. This is being constantly monitored.
‘The GPA (Gibraltar Port Authority) is working with the owners, salvers and P&I Club to address all issues that may now arise.
‘A meeting of the GCC (Gibraltar Contingency Council) was convened as soon as the news of the vessels circumstances was confirmed.
‘The Captain of the Port is taking action to ensure that any environmental impact is minimised.
‘All persons on board, a total of 24 crew and 6 surveyors who were on board at the time, have been evacuated safely.
‘All operations at Gibraltar Port are currently suspended to concentrate all resources on this emergency.’
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