Collision Between A Bulker & Chemical Tanker Leads To Spillage Of Paraffin Off Algeciras

A collision between a chemical tanker and a bulker close to Gibraltar Strait on Friday led to spillage of around 500 m3 of paraffin into the waters. The paraffin was seen floating close to Spain’s Algeciras Port.

The paraffin was the cargo being transported by the tanker Southern Puma that was hit by the bulker Louisa Bolten.

The incident occurred on Friday morning when Bulker Louisa Bolten was sailing eastbound through the Gibraltar Strait. She collided with the chemical tanker Southern Puma, northeast of Ceuta.

The tanker Southern Puma, per electronic records, was operating with its AIS transmitter switched off. Its AIS signal was last received on October 25, 2024, by Pole Star when the ship was crossing the English Channel.

There were no injuries, but the tanker was badly damaged on its starboard side. The impact of the collision damaged one of its cargo tanks from which paraffin flowed into the sea.

Since paraffin is biodegradable, it quickly solidifies at ambient temperature, so the harm to the marine environment is estimated to be minimal.

Bunker fuel leakage has not been reported. However, as a precaution, the Spanish environmental group Verdemar Ecologistas en Accion prompted the authorities to monitor the situation.

The tanker was helped by four tugboats and reached the Port of Algeciras where it was tied at a berth and is awaiting repairs. It will offload its remaining cargo to another tanker before going into the dry dock. It will also be inspected for other damages.

Per local authorities, there is no environmental risk from the ship, although a boom has been deployed around it for safety purposes.

Bulker Louisa Bolten is on its way to Aliaga Port in Turkey.

References: GBC

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