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Oil Leakage News

18 Jul 2023

Divers Inspect Grounded Ro-Ro

Photo courtesy of CGS Romblon

The 93 passengers and 36 crew on a ro-ro ran aground approximately 100 meters from shore at Barangay Nasunugan in Banton, the Philippines, at midnight on July 16 have now been rescued and refloating efforts have begun.Montenegro Shipping’s Maria Helena was sailing from Lucena Port in Lucena City, Quezon Province, bound for San Agustin Port in Tablas, Romblon, when the incident occurred.The vessel has been listing 10 degrees to portside, and the Captain is reported to have attributed the list to to the explosion of one tire of one of the rolling cargoes onboard…

01 Jun 2022

ABS Grants AIP to SDARI for Approach to Stern Tube Design

Illustration of the stern tube design awarded ABS AIP. (Image: SDARI)

ABS has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) for its vessel design with a novel aft layout, which eliminates pollution and promotes efficient vessel operations.The SDARI design, developed in cooperation with Thordon Bearings Inc. and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), introduces a new approach to the vessel’s aft layout, including removal of the stern tube casting, employing seawater for lubrication…

18 Apr 2022

Tunisia, Others Work to Limit Damage after Fuel-laden Ship Sinks

Tunisia will work with other countries that have offered to help it to prevent environmental damage after a merchant ship carrying up to one thousand tonnes of oil sank in Tunisian waters, the defense ministry said on Sunday.The [Xelo] ship was heading from Equatorial Guinea to Malta when it sank seven miles off the coast of the southern city of Gabes on Friday. The Tunisian navy rescued all seven crew members following a distress call.

23 Dec 2021

Taylor Energy, U.S. Feds Reach $475M Settlement in Longest-running Offshore Oil Spill

Credit: Studio Barcelona/AdobeStock

Oil company Taylor Energy Co LLC agreed to transfer a $432 million cleanup trust account to the U.S. government and pay an additional $43 million to resolve a lawsuit over its role in the longest-running oil spill in U.S. history under a proposed deal filed in New Orleans federal court on Wednesday.The New Orleans company and federal officials filed a proposed consent decree to resolve claims arising from a 2004 incident when Hurricane Ivan caused one of Taylor's offshore drilling platforms to collapse in the Gulf of Mexico.

05 Jun 2019

First Fire Prevention Notation in Cruiser

Cruise operator Royal Caribbean International (RCL),  Finnish technology major Wärtsilä, and DNV GL announced that Navigator of the Seas, the Voyager-class cruise, will feature the industry's first fire prevention notation.Even though great strides have been taken in detecting, containing and extinguishing fires, the best time to fight a fire is before it starts.The desire to work towards a zero-fire engine room led cruise operator RCL, technology group Wärtsilä, and classification society DNV GL to initiate a joint industry project to improve engine room fire prevention.Since 2016, the partners have worked with stakeholders across the whole industry to collect data, analyse the key risks, and develop safety barriers to manage the most significant risk factors.

23 May 2019

Race Against WW II Shipwrecks Oil Spill

A remediation programme to protect island ecosystems from damage caused by oil pollution from World War II wrecks sunk in the Pacific Ocean will launch in Newcastle Harbour today (Thursday 23 May).The programme is the result of a partnership between Major Projects Foundation, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) – an intergovernmental Pacific regional organisation made up of 26 members – and the University of Newcastle. It will see expert teams of scientists, engineers and marine archaeologists work with Pacific island communities to meet the challenges posed by the degradation of wrecks.There are in excess of 3…

10 Feb 2019

Polaris-Pireas collision Near Singapore

Malaysia government (Marine Department Malaysia) vessel Polaris and Greece-registered bulk carrier Pireas collided in territorial waters within Singapore port limits off Tuas on Feb 9, 2019.Pireas was on its way from Singapore to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelepas when the collision took place.After refuelling at Singapore’s eastern bunkering anchorage south of Bedok, Pireas declared to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) that its next port of call was to be Tanjung Pelepas. At 1355 hrs, Pireas entered Singapore Port Limits off Tuas (“the area”). It then slowed down, changed direction and collided with Polaris.Upon establishing contact with Pireas, MPA Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) instructed Pireas to stay clear of the area.

16 Jul 2018

MV SSL Kolkata: Salvage Operations Continue

The salvage operations of the container vessel MV SSL Kolkata that had caught fire last month, is continuing in rough weather conditions with 2- 4 metre swells. The vessel is grounded at about 8 nautical miles off the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans since the 13th of last month when its cargo area had caught fire following an explosion. All 22 crew members were   rescued by the Indian Coast Guard. The Directorate General of Shipping and its allied office, Mercantile Marine Department, Kolkata, Govt. of West Bengal, the Indian Coast Guard and various authorities have been constantly monitoring the developments as the salvage efforts continue.

12 Jul 2018

Fire Stricken Box Ship SSL Kolkata Sits Aground

Indian flagged containership SSL Kolkata caught fire and went adrift in the Bay of Bengal on June 13 (Photo courtesy of the Indian Coast Guard)

Responders are facing challenging monsoon season conditions as they work to salvage a containership that caught fire and grounded in the in the Bay of Bengal last month.The stricken containership SSL Kolkata remains aground in soft mud some 7.5 nautical miles off the Indian Sunderbans, Kolkata, West Bengal, after an explosion in one of the containers lit a fire on board the vessel on June 13.An oil spill response team from OSRL has arrived on scene and is the process of managing the counter pollution operations as responders battle challenging weather conditions…

20 Apr 2016

Thordon Bearings Launches Oil Savings Calculator

Thordon Bearings has developed a bespoke modeling tool capable of calculating the amount of operational oil prevented from leaking into the world’s oceans with each installation of a seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing. To be launched officially on April 22 to coincide with Earth Day 2016, the world’s largest environmental movement, now in its 46th year, the Oil Savings Calculator shows that more than 60 million liters of oil pollution has been saved to date. “In our opinion the only acceptable propeller shaft stern tube oil leakage is zero.” said Terry McGowan, President & CEO Thordon Bearings. “Thanks to those vessels that have already installed seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearings…

09 Nov 2015

NYK Conducts Crisis-response Drill on VLCC

On October 15 as part of the company’s Remember Naka-no-Se Campaign,* NYK conducted a crisis-response drill based on the scenario of a serious accident occurring on an NYK-owned VLCC (very large crude-oil carrier). Cooperation from the Maritime Bureau within Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), in addition to the Japan Coast Guard and the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center, enabled this drill to be realistic and practical. During the drill, NYK’s crisis-management headquarters simulated a press conference and timely press releases, and reconfirmed the importance of immediate and correct information disclosure to the public. A summary of the drill is provided below. A blackout occurred on a VLCC while the ship was sailing in Tokyo Bay.

14 Jun 2015

Oil Blast Sparks Off Major Fire in Mumbai Port Trust in Wadala

A fire broke out due to a suspected leakage in an oil pipeline passing through a land owned by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) in Wadala in central Mumbai, but no one was injured. Fifteen fire tenders and 12 water tankers eventually doused the flames after a five-hour fight around 11pm. There were no casualties. Sources said the flames were spreading fast in the evening because of the strong monsoon winds blowing from the southwest. Dark smoke could be seen from up to 7km away in Lower Parel. The fire began at 5:50 pm. "An oil leakage was detected this morning and we had taken all the necessary precautions. But at 6 PM, we were informed of a fire," MbPT chairman RM Parmar said. He added that no casualties have been reported in the incident so far.

26 Mar 2015

EALs & Oil Spill Remediation

In the wake of increased environmental scrutiny and potentially expanding liability issues, oil spill remediation continues to be of great interest to marine operations. While most outsiders think of oil spills in terms of major failures or leaks, more common oil leakage or lubricant discharges from marine equipment result in millions of gallons of oil being released into the aquatic environment each year. Leaks, which are very difficult to prevent, far outpace catastrophic events and result in lost productivity, environmental damage, costly fines and remediation and negative public image.

05 Jan 2015

Greek-Operated Tanker Bombed at Libyan Port

Two crew members were killed when unidentified military aircraft bombed a Greek-operated oil tanker anchored at the Libyan port of Derna, the Greek coastguard said on Monday. The Liberian-flagged ARAEVO was carrying 12,600 tons of crude oil and had 26 crew members on board. Two other crew members were wounded, the coastguard said. Athens-based Aegean Shipping Enterprises Co, which operates the vessel, said no oil had spilled as a result of the attack. The vessel, chartered by Libya's national oil company NOC, had been loaded at Brega port for transport to Derna. "Yesterday at 13:30 local time, a war plane bombed the front part of the ship, causing damage and injuring four crew members, of whom two died," said Elias Syrros, the company's safety manager.

14 Aug 2014

MOL Bulker is the First Built with Safer Hull

Bulk carrier of the type featuring the NSafe-Hull

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced the world’s first use of highly ductile steel plate NSafe-Hull, developed by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation on a merchant vessel. The ship featuring this new safety-enhancing feature, a large-size bulk carrier, was launched on August 2. The NSafe-Hull’s highly ductile steel reportedly absorbs side impact to the hull three times more effectively than conventional steel plate, reducing the risk of cracks in the hull and significantly increasing the safety of the vessel, MOL said.

11 Dec 2013

Don’t Forget: Seawater is a Free EAL

Typical netting and rope around rotating shaft damages aft seal.

If your vessel is trading in U.S. waters, you need to be aware of the new oil to sea interface law that comes into effect on Dec. 19, 2013. According to the new U.S. Environment Protection Agency Vessel General Permit (VGP), all vessels built on or after Dec. 19, 2013, must use an environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL) in all oil to sea interfaces. For all vessels built before this date, unless technically not feasible, ship owners must use an EAL in all oil to sea interfaces. Additional information on the EPA’s VGP can be found at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/vgpermit.cfm#final.

08 Oct 2013

Evergreen Line Win Environmental Award

Award ceremony: Photo credit Evergreen

Taiwan's Evergreen Line was presented with the Environment Award at the 2013 Lloyd's List Global Awards Ceremony recently held in the Lancaster Hotel in London. Davis Lian, President of Evergreen Shipping Agency (U.K.), accepted the award stating "It is a great credit to the Company. This Award recognises our commitment to bring the highest quality of service to our customers while preserving the global ecosystem. Striking a balance between providing transport services and being environmentally sensitive is not easy.

29 Jul 2013

Gulf of Thailand Oil Spill Nears Beaches

Oil dispersal attempts: Photo courtesy of Royal Thai Navy

Oil leakage from a PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) pipeline has grown and spread to Koh Samet's Phrao Bay in the eastern province of Rayong, within 600 metres of one of Thailand's most popular tourist beaches, reports MCOT. By 10pm, Sunday night, 600 metres of Phrao Bay beach was oil-covered, with an oil slick 20-30 cm thick floating some 20 metres from the beach. At about 200 metres from shore, a thinner film of oil spread around the bay. The oil slick developed Saturday morning when approximately 50 tonnes (50…

15 Jul 2013

Remaining Part of MOL Comfort Sinks with Bunkers

MOL Comfort Fore Part: Photo courtesy of India Coast Guard

Some 1,600 metric tonnes of fuel oil and 2,400 containers onboard the 'MOL Comfort' sank to the ocean floor when the remaining forward part of the container ship sank. "There is an oil film at the site, but no large volume of oil leakage has, at this moment, been observed," MOL said in a statement. According to the latest update from the ship's owners, a salvage team has been kept in the area (19'56''N 65'25''E) to monitor the oil leakage and floating containers. "Most of the floating containers sank and could no longer be spotted.

03 Jul 2013

MOL Comfort: Latest Update as Tow Parts

Floating part: Photo courtesy of MOL

The vessel's fore part has broken free from tow amid adverse weather conditions, the after part having sunk earlier. The (slightly amended) owner's statement No. The fore part is located near 17'02"N 67'57"E. The weather in the area is still adverse. Containers: 
The condition of the fore part is stable with majority of cargo aboard. Salvage: of the cargo and hulls:
We have contracted with a salvage company to save the cargo and hulls. The tow wire was disconnected from the fore part which was being towed in a west-northwest direction.

27 Jun 2013

MOL Comfort Still Afloat in Two Parts

MOL Comfort: Photo courtesy of PTI

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) updates the status of the containership 'MOL Comfort' as of 18:00 Dubai time on June 25, 2013. The owners inform that the fore part is located near 15'43"N 69'07"E. The aft part is drifting near 14'03"N 65'30"E in an east-northeast direction. The weather at the site is still adverse. Some of the containers were lost, but majority of the cargo are confirmed to be aboard the fore and aft part. MOL say they have contracted with a salvage company which has dispatched tugboats to rescue the cargo and hulls. These four boats arrived at the site on June 24.

20 Jun 2013

Update: Damaged MOL Containership

Photo: PTI

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) released a statement updating the status of the containership MOL Comfort as of 11 p.m. JST on June 19, 2013. The vessel could not continue sailing under its own power from June 17 because the hull fractured in two parts while under way on the Indian Ocean, the company said. Mol Comfort', the 316-m-long vessel was carrying 4,500 containers from Saudi Arabia when it split into two roughly 840 nautical miles off the coast of India. The Indian Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of all 26 of the ship's crew (12 Russians and 14 Filipinos).

31 Jan 2013

SHI Profits Eroded by One-Off Costs

Samsung Heavy Industries (HII) Q4 3012 net profit fell 59% due to costs related to an oil-leakage accident in 2007. Net profit for the three months ended December 31 fell to KRW73 billion from KRW176.5 billion a year earlier, reports Fox Business News; however, fourth-quarter sales and operating profit rose on orders for higher-end ships. Full-year 2012 net profit fell 6.4% to KRW796.4 billion. Operating profit climbed 11% to KRW1.206 trillion and sales rose 8.2% to KRW14.49 trillion. Source: Fox Business News/Dow Jones Newswires