USCG Says Faulty Piping the Suspected Cause of L.A. Bunker Spill

The USCG now says that a bunker spill in the Port of L.A., which was linked to MOL vessel Istra Ace, may have been caused by faulty piping on board the ship.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) now says that a bunker spill in the Port of Los Angeles (Port of L.A.), which was linked to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) vessel Istra Ace, may have been caused by faulty piping on board the ship.

As Ship & Bunker reported Tuesday, the USCG had originally said they believed that the spill was caused by a hatch on the cargo vessel that was not made water tight during a Sunday bunkering operation, but has since said that initial investigation has shown that the spill resulted from faulty piping on the vessel.

While it is still unclear how much oil was involved in the spill, oil is said to have been observed in the Cerritos Channel close to berth 212, and across the east basin to berth 192.

It is reported that aerial surveys and shore assessments occurred early Monday morning, and the responsible party has contracted the National Response Corporation Environmental Services, as well as other sub-contractors to aid in the clean up of the spill.

"Contractors are continuing to clean with sweepers and sorbent pads in the affected area and also any affected shoreline, as well as deploy resources for removal of contamination from vessels, docks, pilings and other structures," stated the USCG.

"At this time, there have been no confirmed reports of oiled wildlife," added the organisation, which is reported to have issued a safety zone to restrict recreational and commercial vessel traffic in order to expedite clean-up efforts and prevent contamination.

Operations at the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge are also said to have been halted temporarily as a result of the spill, preventing vessel traffic from transiting under the bridge.

In February, BIMCO announced that it is working with the International Spill Control Organisation (ISCO) to develop a standard contract for hiring of spill response services and equipment, intended for use by shipowners who have had a spill caused by one of their vessels and need to hire a contractor to perform clean-up services.