Image Courtesy: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
The Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) Berge Bureya took part in an oil spill incident off Malaysia in the Malacca Strait earlier yesterday morning, the vessel’s operator, Singapore-based shipping company Berge Bulk, told World Maritime News.
While anchored, the crew identified a quantity of oil leaking from the vessel and “immediately enacted emergency procedures” to halt the leakage and to start the clean-up operation, Berge Bulk said.
The company added that the oil leak was stemmed quickly and that there were no injuries to crewmembers.
Berge Bulk said that it is cooperating with the Malaysian authorities in the management of the spill and that the vessel was boomed following the incident.
Data from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency suggests that approximately one ton of fuel oil was spilled, covering an area of some 20 nautical miles.
The maritime agency earlier said that the 289,800 dwt bulker has reportedly been arrested following the oil spill which occurred while it was traveling from Singapore to Brazil.
Berge Bulk has now launched an investigation into the causes which led to the incident.
According to Marine Traffic’s AIS data, the 1993-built ship is currently anchored off Singapore.
World Maritime News Staff