Update: No Surface Pollution from Agia Zoni II in Salamina

Almost a month after the oil tanker Agia Zoni II sank off the Port of Piraeus, causing an oil spill in the area, the Hellenic Coast Guard informed that there is no surface pollution in Salamina.

The coast guard added that, following anti-pollution efforts conducted by a coast guard vessel as well as three additional ships and other units, an air patrol inspected the area along the maritime coastal front, confirming that there were no traces of pollution.

Furthermore, the situation on the coastline has also improved, although the clean-up operations on the wider coastal area of Selinia, Limnionas, Kynousoura and Agios Nikolaos still continue. The officials added that the areas of Palaio Faliro, Alimos, as well as Voula and Lagonissi, have also been cleaned.

The oil spill clean-up operations were launched after the 3,205 dwt oil tanker sank on September 10 due to water ingress. The ship started taking on water while it was at anchor near the Port of Piraeus. At the time of the incident, the 1972-built Agia Zoni II was loaded with 2,200 tons of fuel oil and 370 tons of marine gas oil.

Although relevant authorities managed to almost completely seal the tanker, an oil spill was reported in the area, with the east coast of Salamina Island being polluted.

The oil spill recovery efforts have been vehemently criticized as inadequate and delayed, with opposition parties asking for a resignation from the country’s Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroumplis.

The minister refuted the allegations, saying that immediate mobilization of relevant assets was made to curb the spill.

Earlier estimates suggested that oil recovery efforts might be finalized by late October.

World Maritime News Staff