Fuel supply vessel not to blame for recent oil spill
The vessel supplying fuel during the recent oil spill in Algoa Bay was not to blame for the accident, maritime safety authority acting CEO Sobuntu Tilayi said on Tuesday.
After the July accident, the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) detained the ship that was being bunkered, the Liberian vessel Chrysanthi S, and fined it R350,000.
The ship was then allowed to continue its voyage after paying the fine and submitting a R5m guarantee to cover the expenses of cleaning up the oil and rehabilitating more than 100 affected African penguins.
An investigation into the role played by the bunkering supply vessel, a South African Marine Fuels barge, was then launched, and a finding had been made, Tilayi said.
“There was no liability by the bunkering vessel.
“However, Samsa is scheduled to meet the National Ports Authority on Thursday next week and we will be looking at how to further tighten up bunkering operations.”
Tilayi said planning for a holding capacity study facilitated by Samsa was at an advanced stage.
An opportunity to tender had been issued and a shortlist of three possible consultants was being considered.
It was hoped the study would start in September and a draft report would be available by the end of October.
There were no mechanisms in SA marine law to prohibit an aspirant bunkering enterprise, Tilayi said.
“So the study report will provide a reason to cap such activity at a sustainable level.”
Asked if the report might, in fact, call for a reduction in the three operators already licensed – or even for bunkering to be stopped considering the potential effect on tourism and African penguin colonies – he said this outcome was possible.
“Our mandate is to prevent pollution at sea and to promote maritime interests in a sustainable way.
“We do not think the number of operators already licensed is too high, but we may be educated differently.”
A further licensing of bunkering operators was on hold at least until the completion of the study, he confirmed.