Spanish Island Gran Canaria Closes Several Beaches After Oil Spill Causes Environmental Emergency

An oil spill off the renowned Spanish Island of Gran Canaria on September 5, 2024, led to the closure of several beaches and the declaration of an environmental emergency.

The spill occurred during a vessel’s refuelling operation at La Luz port in Las Palmas, the island’s capital.

Emergency services responded to the spill on the night of September 04, reporting that up to 3 metric tons of IFO 180, designated as Very Low Sulfur Oil, were accidentally spilt.

The incident resulted in an oil spill estimated to be about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long and 400 meters (1,300 feet) wide.

Winds are pushing the slick southeast toward Telde municipality, and efforts are underway to prevent it from reaching the nearby drinking water production plant.

Authorities have closed the beaches of La Restinga, Palos, San Borondon, and El Baranquillo.

Telde’s mayor, Juan Antonio Pena, stated that the contamination is, unfortunately, to a large extent, due to which numerous resources have been deployed.

Pena added that they will seek accountability as it harmed the environment and could not happen again.

14.08 horas | #VertidoFueloil | Imagen de la playa de Palos tras la llegada del vertido de fueloil. Se procede a su cierre junto a San Borondón y El Barranquillo pic.twitter.com/VJTfpTYjyr

— Ayuntamiento de Telde (@Ayun_Telde) September 5, 2024

Image credits: Ayuntamiento de Telde/X

Salvamento Marítimo, the Spanish emergency service, has dispatched three patrol boats, drones, aircraft and a maritime rescue boat to contain the spill.

Barriers have been placed, and mechanical dispersion measures are used to contain the oil as it moves southwest.

The cargo ship Akhisar (8000 dwt), registered in Liberia and managed by Turkey, is responsible for the spill. It arrived at the La Luz port from Mindelo, Cape Verde, on September 02, 2024.

The spill occurred while the vessel was bunkering overnight. During the incident, the bunkering vessel SPA Bunker Treinta was spotted next to the Akhisar.

The oil slick is currently estimated to be over 1.5 miles long and over a quarter mile wide, moving at a speed of 0.5 nautical miles per hour due to wind and current.

Red flags have been placed throughout the affected coastline as the Island of Gran Canaria addresses the consequences of the incident.

Reference: Reuters

Spanish Island Gran Canaria Closes Several Beaches After Oil Spill Causes Environmental Emergency appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News