EMEA News
Ship Sank off Oman Coast with 150 Tonnes of Bunker Fuel on Board
Turkish bulk carrier Atlantik Confidence, that sank off the coast of Oman last week, had about 150 tonnes of bunker fuel on board, the Oman Daily Observer reports.
Oman is monitoring the area and has seen no signs of a leak so far.
"Our pollution control machinery is ready to respond in the event of a pollution threat," said an official with the Ministry of Environment and Climate.
"The situation is being carefully monitored by a vessel of the Royal Navy of Oman.
"Barring a minor oil spill detected at the outset of the crisis last week, it appears that the ship's fuel tanks are intact for now."
The official also said mild sea conditions in the area mean any leaking oil is likely to dissipate before reaching the shore.
"But should weather and sea conditions become unfavourable, then we shall be ready with booms to contain and tackle possible leaks," the official said.
The 196-meter long ship sank on Wednesday, four days after a fire started in its engine room, triggering an explosion that breached its hull.
The vessel sank 149 nautical miles southeast of Masirah Island, and the 21-member crew were rescued by commercial ships travelling through the area.
Oman's Directorate General of Marine Affairs said last week that the ship, leased from Marine Atlantik Co. and sailing under a Liberian flag, was carrying steel frames for the new Muscat International Airport project from Turkey to Oman when the accident occurred.
