Americas News
Tank Breach at Vopak Terminal Reported to Have Caused Second L.A. Spill in a Month
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) says it received a report at 10:48 a.m on Thursday of a spill of an oily-water mixture disseminating from a holding tank at the Vopak Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles (Port of L.A.), the second reported spill at the port within a month.
USCG says its personnel are currently investigating the report, adding that it appears that "a majority of the oil released has been reported as being contained on the pier, however, some of the oil water mixture entered the water."
National Response Corporation, Ocean Blue, and Patriot Environmental are said to be in the process of clean-up operations, utilising oil skimmers and absorbent pads.
In order to mitigate further pollution spread, a containment boom is also said to have been deployed around TULA, a tanker ship moored within the terminal.
"Cleaning the TULA is a priority and the vessel has been issued a restricted in movement and has been ordered not to leave port until it has been properly decontaminated," stated the USCG.
As Ship & Bunker previously reported, a bunker spill on March 13 at the port was linked to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) vessel Istra Ace.
