Containment Efforts, Bulker Grounding
The owners of the 26,800 dwt bulk carrier Full City, which ran aground whilst in ballast at Langesund off the southern coast of Norway in heavy weather on July 31, say the majority of the approximately 1,200 tons of bunker fuel on the vessel remains on board. Meanwhile, they are continuing to focus their priorities on containment and limitation of any potential environmental damage in the wake of the casualty. This is being done in full co-operation and co-ordination with the Norwegian authorities.
Response efforts have so far focused on the containment and recovery of the oil which has escaped from the vessel’s bunker tanks into the sea. Leading salvage contractor Smit International, engaged by the owners on a Lloyd’s Open Form of salvage contract immediately following the incident, have mobilised a specialist team of salvage equipment and experts to deal with the situation. They are in the process of taking steps to remove the bunker fuel on board so as to avoid the risk of further spillage.
Regular aerial surveillance is being conducted, and a number of specialist vessels are involved in collecting, containing and recovering the oil through the use of booms and skimming devices. Clean-up of the shoreline has already started, and further assessments of contamination are being carried out.
Pollution specialist, ITOPF, remains in attendance to provide assistance and guidance.
The Full City is a 26,800 dwt geared bulk carrier built in 1995 in Hakodate, Japan. It is owned by The Roc Maritime Inc of Panama and registered in Panama. It is classed by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK).
