Bunkers spilled in Gibraltar estimated to be up to 2,000 litres of VLSFO

The Government of Gibraltar on Wednesday (2 August) said the Captain of the port was able to confirm that a rough estimate of between 1000 and 2000 litres of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) was spilled to sea during a bunkering operation. 

LPG tanker Gas Venus was taking bunkers when it experienced an overflow of its tanks in the southern part of the Western Anchorage on 1 August. 

The Captain of the port confirmed that most of the released oil was concentrated in the areas of Camp Bay, Rosia Bay and Little Bay, with a portion of the area known as Seven Sisters also affected. 

On 3 August, the Captain of the port confirmed that limited port operations (non-bunkering) resumed from 18.00 hours local time. 

Later, the Government of Gibraltar said the Red flag was raised at Camp Bay as the high tide had dislodged oil from the coastline of the Rosia Bay area.

Vessels with sorbet booms have been deployed to tackle the oil that were released.

Related: Gibraltar suspends port operations following bunker fuel spill incident

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Sangrin
Published: 4 August, 2023