It is an ultra-busy sea route and the rare accidents that occur there can quickly have dramatic consequences.
Gibraltar maritime services began a major operation on Thursday to plug a leak of heavy fuel oil from a cargo ship that collided with an LNG carrier earlier this week, authorities in this British enclave reported.
The boat "OS 35" has been stranded off Gibraltar, a British territory located in the extreme south of Spain, since the collision which occurred Monday evening with the LNG carrier, dedicated to the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Her crew of 24 was evacuated.
David Martinez/REUTERS
According to authorities in Gibraltar, its hull broke apart on Wednesday evening, but the bulk carrier has not separated into two parts at this stage.
"Gibraltar Port Authority" however "confirmed a leak of heavy fuel oil, a small quantity of which escaped from the perimeter of the floating boom" installed to contain the leaks, the Gibraltar government said in a statement.
The leak is “under control”
According to the government, the leak on the ship “OS 35” occurred at the level of pipes which had initially been sealed, but whose joints came loose.
The leak “is completely under control” and “the priority is (…) to recover the fuel oil (…) which escaped from the dam”, but also that which remained “inside”, he specifies.
REUTERS/Jon Nazca
Bulk carriers are vessels dedicated to the transport of solid bulk goods, such as cereals, and the fuel on board is that used by the vessel itself.
The collision with the LNG carrier occurred while the "OS 35" was maneuvering to leave the Bay of Gibraltar.
Since the accident, traffic has been suspended in the port of British territory, with some exceptions.
The Gibraltar government assured that it was preparing "an operation to extract the fuel as soon as possible" from the bulk carrier, "but in the cleanest way and with the least possible risk".