Bulk Carrier Runs Aground and Spills Fuel in South Atlantic

Last week a large bulk carrier, the MS Oliva, ran aground Nightingale Island in the UK-territory Tristan da Cunha chain in the South Atlantic, spilling an unknown amount of the 1,500 tons of heavy fuel oil into the sea of the uninhabited and largely pristine island. 

According to salvage sources, a great deal of the fuel is still contained on the Panamax-sized bulk carrier, however there are fears that this could become a major environmental disaster as the oil is heavily affecting the bird species of the island, and the economically lucrative rock lobsters.  Currently of most concern to environmentalists is the already endangered species, the Northern Rock Hopper penguins, in which around 40% of the world’s population of these penguins are located on the Cunha island chain.

200,000 penguins and millions of sea birds are at risk from the oil slick, which is now surrounding the entire island and extends 8 miles offshore.

Biologists with Britain's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds fear that this wreck could be a catastrophe for not only the wildlife, but also the fishery-based economy to the remote island chain.  The Greek-owned and Malta-registered vessel was carrying 60,000 tons of whole raw soya beans, which is another concern of ecological destabilization for the islands.  To add insult to injury, it’s possible that rats escaped from the grounded ship that could further devastate native species to the previously rodent-free island by eating the birds’ chicks and eggs. 

Tristan conservationists have said that they are rigorously trying to clean-up all the penguins and sea birds coming ashore.  Environmentalists in Cape Town are coordinating an urgent clean-up to assist thousands of birds who are affected by the oil.  Government officials of Tristan Da Cunha reported that a salvage tug is expected on site, but there is little to salvage at this point, as most of the task now is a clean-up operation.  The tug will help to assess the impact on the island’s ecosystem.

The grounding happened en route from Brazil to the Far East, and was confirmed by Maltese Shipping Authority, Transport Malta.  Transport Malta further confirmed they were investigating the incident. 

The British Government has expressed their concern for the situation, but stated it was too early to know the consequences at this point.

None of the 22 crewmembers aboard the Oliva were injured in the wreck.