‘Tankers in bay pumping out fuel’
There has been much speculation among Mossel Bay residents regarding the large number of bulk tankers anchored in the bay recently.
On Sunday there were six bulk tankers anchored in the bay. It is unusual to see up to six bulk tankers in the bay at one time.
Comments about the vessels appeared on Facebook sites and Mossel Bay Advertiser received queries from the public.
The Advertiser made enquiries to PetroSA and to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).TNPA declined to comment. It responded via email on Monday, 16 October: "The vessels are currently outside port limits, therefore, we are currently not in a position to share any details with regard to their operations. Kindly make contact with PetroSA."
The Advertiser enquired to PetroSA on Monday. A spokesperson for PetroSA said she would be sending a response in due course. The Advertiser is awaiting her response. The Advertiser also contacted a source, who said there was a large number of bulk tankers, likely because although PetroSA was non-operational it still had fuel storage capacity. The source pointed out that most of South Africa's fuel is imported.
"They are tankers moving between the various ports in South Africa," the source said. "The tankers come into the bay, loaded with fuel. There are bulk fuel storage facilities in Mossel Bay for fuel.
"My opinion is that it is a cost issue. Mossel Bay is one of the most cost-effective harbours to use. There is an offloading station in the sea. It is a huge yellow pump station near Seal Island. The pipes run under the sea floor. They run to the inland storage tanks behind Langeberg Mall.
"There is always a tug boat hooked up to the tanker at the back to keep the tanker in a straight line while fuel is being pumped out of the tanker to the bulk storage facility on the land."