South Africa Launches Investigation After Oil Spill From Vessel In Algoa Bay

South African authorities are investigating an oil spill in Algoa Bay. The oil is believed to have leaked from the MSC Apollo, a Cyprus-flagged containership anchored in the bay on the afternoon of September 7, 2024.

Another vessel in the region first detected the spill after spotting oil-like blobs and an oily sheen on the water.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported that early examinations by response teams found that the oily substance came from the MSC Apollo at around 5 p.m. on September 7.

The investigation was postponed during the night.

As part of the response efforts, the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF) requested oil spill trajectory modelling by contacting the vessel’s insurers.

The modelling will guide the next day’s response efforts in the most affected areas.

The Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) held an emergency meeting on September 8, attended by representatives from SAMSA, the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), SANPARKS, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), and the vessel’s agents and insurers.

IMOrg, chaired by the Department of Transport (DOT), and SAMSA is a virtual organization responsible for South Africa’s national oil spill contingency plan.

The meeting resulted in a coordinated response to determine the cause of the spill, assess its extent, and prevent its spread.

Sea patrols, aerial surveillance by helicopters and drones, and coastal foot patrols are among the measures implemented. Despite these efforts, initial assessments detected no oil or oily sheen in the area.

Once the weather improves, the MSC Apollo’s hull will be cleaned to prevent future contamination. SANPARKS rangers will also be dispatched to the St Croix Island group to assess for any oiled wildlife. The vessel’s insurers will provide a drone to help identify any affected birds.

The public is advised to report any sightings of oiled birds to SANCCOB and oily creatures to Bay World officials.

The incident occurred amid increasing vessel traffic around the Cape of Good Hope due to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and follows several recent maritime incidents, including cargo losses from containerships and the grounding of the M/V Ultra Galaxy off South Africa’s west coast.

SAMSA will provide future updates as the investigation progresses.

Reference: SAMSA

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