World News
Spill From Greek Bunker Tanker an Accident Waiting to Happen, Say Experts
With at least 800 tonnes of HFO now recovered from the sunken tanker Agia Zoni II, some maritime experts have suggested that the spill - which reached the shores of Athens this week - was an accident waiting to happen, Greek media reports.
As Ship & Bunker has reported, Agia Zoni II sank off the Port of Piraeus last Sunday, loaded with 2,200 tonnes of fuel oil and 370 tonnes of marine gas oil at the time.
Experts are now saying thatthe Greek-flagged Agia Zoni II, which went down while at anchor during mild weather, should not have been at sea in the first place, explaining that Greek state does not have the capacity to conduct specialised checks on old vessels of this type.
A statement issued by the maritime workers' union PEMEN on Thursday said the ship was "extremely dangerous to safe navigation."
PEMEN further stated that "the engine room where it started taking on water had been roughly patched up in order to close gaping holes."
Also on Thursday, the Hellenic Register of Shipping said that vessel had not been recently inspected and does not hold any certificates issued by the organisation.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, has since ordered the retraction of seaworthiness certifications that have been extended, the investigation involved parties, and has transferred the authority to grant seaworthiness certificates to ship registers.
Clean up efforts for the spill are ongoing.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 655.50 | 2.00 | 808.50 | 4.50 |
| Rotterdam | 619.00 | 0.00 | 789.00 | 8.00 |
| Houston | 628.50 | 7.50 | 812.50 | 1.50 |
| Fujairah | 653.50 | 4.50 | 900.00 | 2.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 672.00 | 0.50 | 885.00 | 7.00 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 639.00 | 2.50 | 827.50 | 2.00 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 727.50 | 1.50 | 933.50 | 5.00 |
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