8,000 litres of diesel spill into Malaga port as ferry is refuelled

8,000 litres of diesel spilt into Malaga port. CREDIT: Shutterstock

PORT authorities in Malaga had to put into operation an anti-pollution plan when 8,000 litres of diesel spilled into the Costa del Sol harbour while a ferry was being refuelled. 

A failure, possibly with a badly closed valve, in the fuel tanks of the ferry Sicilia de Baleària caused the spillage from the ship which operates between Malaga and Melilla. 

The incident was controlled by dawn yesterday (August 16), thanks to the deployment of anti-pollution barriers. In addition, sources stressed that it is diesel and not fuel oil, which would have been more harmful. The deployment of these measures made it possible to control the leak and prevent it from leaving the Heredia dock, the innermost of all the docks. 

From midday yesterday the fuel was being removed with the help of skimmers from Sasemar and from the Port itself. The Port Authority and the Capitanía Marítima have collaborated in the emergency plan. 

Authorities hope to have completed the clean-up by tomorrow (Sunday, August 18) in time for the next expected docking.   

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Dilip Kuner

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments