Madagascar Begins Salvage Operation for Grounded TROMSO

Madagascar authorities have begun a salvage operation off the country’s north coast to prevent a major oil spill from the grounded tanker TROMSO.

TROMSO, managed by World Tankers Management Pte Ltd (WTM), Singapore, that ran aground in the Diego Suarez Bay on Apr 17th, was carrying around 10,000 mt of crude oil on board. The operation should prevent crude oil form the grounded ship to reach the crystal clear Emerald Sea.

Earlier AFP reported that one of the vessel’s two hulls has been breached but that at the moment there are no reports of any leakages.

According to the Jerome Sambalis, Director General of the maritime and fluvial port Agency (APMF) of Madagascar: “Specialist teams are being flown to the Indian Ocean island after the Bahamian-flagged ship ran aground last Thursday. The ship’s owners have chartered an aircraft from South Africa to send a specialised team and equipment.”

The refloating of the ship is scheduled for April 26th. By then all oil on board the grounded vessel should be safely removed.

[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, April 24, 2014