Bunkers Found Leaking from Grounded Bulker in Mexico

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday July 13, 2017

Mexico's Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA) says an oil sheen has been found in the waters around a grounded bulk carrier, Los Llanitos, in Punta Graham, World Maritime News reports.

The 71,665 DWT vessel ran aground on October 23, 2015 during Hurricane Patricia, after which 425,000 litres of fuel and approximately 11,484 litres of oil was removed.

Inspectors are reported to have recently found bunker remnants in the vessel's tanks.

The ship's hull is said to have severe structural damage, with intense wave movement putting the vessel at risk of breaking up.

Several plans for removing the wreck have been mulled by the Mexican government, and PROFEPA has urged the Port Captaincy of Manzanillo to order the company responsible for Los Llanitos to install absorption and containment booms, as well as implement other preventive measures, in order to avoid and contain spillage.

At the time the grounded vessel was originally debunkered, the Mexican government was reported to have had plans for the ship to be sunk and turned into an artificial reef.