EMEA News
Grounded MV Benita: More Than 200 cbm of Contaminated Fuel Oil and Lube Successfully Removed
Five Oceans Salvage Thursday said that more than 200 cubic metres (cbm) of contaminated fuel oil and lubrication oil have been removed safely removed from the grounded MV Benita.
The vessel is noted to remain aground and in a stable condition, with skimming of any oily water residue continuing "as a precaution."
Meanwhile, work to sanitize and seal the vessel is said to be nearing completion, as is the process of sealing and pressurising the vessel's cargo tanks and void spaces.
"The protection of the environment remains of critical concern to the salvors who continue to work in close cooperation with the local authorities," stated Five Oceans Salvage.
Poor weather conditions are said to have slowed recovery operations over the past few days, but Five Oceans Salvage says work to re-float the vessel are underway, noting the process could be completed over the coming days.
The June 17 bunker spill made headlines after it was revealed the grounding had resulted from a brawl that broke out onboard the vessel.
Last week, Five Oceans Salvage said reports that an estimated 5,000 tonnes of fuel were lost from the grounded MV Benita were "not correct," noting that 145 metric tonnes (mt) of fuel were on board the vessel at the time of the incident, most of which had since been recovered.
