Spanish Authorities Detain German Cargo Ship Over Fuel Spill Near Ceuta

Spanish authorities have detained a 31-year-old German cargo ship, Tony Stark, for causing a fuel spill during a refuelling operation near the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Africa’s north coast.

Tony Stark, an Antigua and Barbuda flagged vessel operated by Germany’s NautiCore Shipping, cannot leave the dock until its owners pay a bill of €120,000 ($130,524).

Last week, fuel oil was found in several locations, including Benitez Beach, the port breakwaters and San Amaro Beach in Ceuta, located in the Alboran Sea.

The Spanish Merchant Fleet estimates that approximately one metric ton of fuel has been spilt.

The Merchant fleet has initiated a disciplinary process to establish the final fine for the incident.

The ship’s German-based operator, NautiCore Shipping, has yet to respond to requests for comments.

In a related incident, three beaches near the Eastern city of Valencia were closed last week after a fuel spill affected a 2-kilometer (1.2 miles) section of sand. The exact cause of the spill remains unknown.

Reference: Reuters

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Source: Maritime Shipping News