EMEA News
HFO Removal Completed on Sunken Cargo Ship
All remaining heavy fuel oil has been removed from the Flinterstar, with teams now turning their attention to removing the marine gas oil (MGO) from the tanks, Netherlands-based vessel owner Flinter said on its Facebook page.
"After a few days without any news we just received the GREAT news that all remaining heavy fuel oil (HFO 380) has successfully been removed," the post read.
"Divers and salvage teams did a great job by removing the HFO from the more difficult to reach tanks like the day- and settling tanks in the flooded engine room.
"Work will now continue to remove the Gasoil from the tanks. Unfortunately the full moon means spring tides, resulting in less diving time."
The vessel sank off the coast of Belgium earlier this month after colliding with the LNG tanker Al-Oraiq, carrying 427 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 125 tonnes of diesel at the time, resulting in a bunker spill.
Dutch companies Multraship and Smit Salvage are said to be involved in the salvaging process, with a salvage rescue vessel also on hand to clean up any leaked oil.
Earlier this month, Ship & Bunker reported that another collision between two tankers off the coast of Japan had caused a 14km long oil slick in the water.
