Lube oil leaks from bulk carrier that collided in Gibraltar bay

Initial investigation by Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) reveals that the dry bulk carrier OS 35 that clipped with a LNG carrier on Tuesday has started leaking lube oil.

PHOTO: Tugboats around dry bulk carrier OS 35 that clipped a LNG carrier on Tuesday. GPA

The port authority says it has contained the lube leak by using primary boom and is trying to clear the spill through skimmer and sludge barge.

The incident has been declared as "Major Incident (MAJAX)" by Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar. MAJAX will allow all Gibraltar's resources to be redirected to contain this emergency.

On Tuesday, OS 35 clipped an LNG carrier Adam LNG while it was trying to maneuver an exit from Gibraltar bay.

A survey by a team of divers later confirmed that OS 35's bulbous bow was submerged 1.2 meters into the sandy seabed and the vessel has severe damages at its starboard side. While Adam LNG suffered significantly less damages, except a dent to its bulbous bow.

GPA has prioritised to first offload VLSFO onboard OS 35, followed by diesel and lube oil. OS 35 is carrying 183 mt of VLSFO, 250 mt of diesel and 27 mt of lube oil.

The hull of the bulk carrier has broken, but the vessel has not been fully separated, according to government authorities.

The port authority has deployed tugs and booms around the bulker to curtail an oil spill.

It has also notified all mariners, ship owners, agents and charters to avoid the restricted area of 200 meters around OS 35, which is beached to the Eastside of Gibraltar.

Additionally, vessels flow towards the port’s western anchorage and outside the port limit (OPL) has been suspended today, according to port agent MH Bland.

Meanwhile, all crew persons on board OS 35 have been safely evacuated.

By Shilpa Sharma

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