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SAMSA: STS fuel transfers remain suspended in Algoa Bay, South Africa after oil spill incident

South African Maritime Safety Authority and several local authorities in Pretoria took several measures to contain an oil spill at sea that occurred on Monday.

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MT Pix 27 May 2022

The following is an announcement on Wednesday (25 May) published on the South African Maritime Safety Authority website informing offshore bunkering services has remained suspended in Algoa Bay near Ngqurha (a.k.a Port Elizabeth) on South Africa’s eastern seaboard, following an oil spill at sea that occurred in the area on Monday. 

Offshore bunkering services, otherwise known as ship-to-ship oil/fuel transfers remain suspended in Algoa Bay near Ngqurha (a.k.a Port Elizabeth) on South Africa’s eastern seaboard as a national incident management structure strengthens its grip on containment measures of an oil spill at sea that occurred at midday on Monday.

This is according to a joint statement by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in Pretoria just after lunch hour on Wednesday, this following several measures undertaken to contain the oil spill – including an aerial surveillance of the coastal region to be carried out twice a day until such time that the authorities are satisfied it is no longer necessary.

According to the parties, the oil spill in the ocean occurred while two tanker vessels belonging to the same bunkering services firm, Minerva, were conducting an oil transfer at about midday on Monday. It had not yet been established what led to the incident, they said.

On being alerted, however, according to the authorities; the country’s oil spill incident management structure immediately launched an oil spill containment and extraction process in place, which included a suspension of ship-to-ship transfers in the period until further notice.

In the statement on Wednesday, said SAMSA/DFFE and TNPA: “Five oil recovery boats are being used to collect the oil and by Tuesday afternoon all the visible heavy oil had been collected while large patches of light oil sheen were spotted in Algoa Bay.

“A helicopter was used for aerial surveillance and to assist in directing the boats towards the oil sheen for collection. However due to rough sea conditions, the oil recovery was suspended by 15:35. The removal of the oil (soaked) “oil absorbent material” between the two vessels continued throughout the night. 

“Aerial surveillance has been increased to two flights per day from today (Wednesday) with a vessel launched (with a) small drone assisting with the clean-up operations and continuous aerial surveillance in the immediate area around the vessel.

“The DFFE offshore patrol vessel Sarah Baartman will arrive in Algoa Bay tonight and will be available to assist with clean-up operations if need be,” they said.

With regards the expanse of the oil spread on the ocean area affected, the authorities said: “Oil spill modelling provided by the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) indicates that the oil will not impact the Swartkops River nor (Nelson Mandela Bay) Metro beaches, but will drift eastward towards the beaches of Woody Cape. Beach inspections were carried out on Tuesday and will continue today.”

On fears about the oil soaking wild sea birds in the area; the authorities said in the statement that: “No oiled birds or wildlife have been spotted so far. However, members of the public are requested to report such (sightings) to SANPARKS or SANCCOB Gqeberha at Cape Recife Nature Reserve on 063 942 4702, but not to approach or try to capture the affected wildlife.

Concerning the immediate fate of the two tankers involved in the oil spill incident, the authorities said the vessels were still alongside each other on location of the incident while a decision was being made on how best to further handle them.

SAMSA: STS fuel transfers remain suspended in Algoa Bay, South Africa after oil spill incident

They said: “Although the two tankers are still alongside each other as a preventative measure, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment are evaluating whether it is safe to bring the bunker tanker, MT Lefkas into port today while the motor tanker Umnenga II remain offshore in the bay until a berth is available in the Port of Ngqura. Both tankers are operated by Minerva Bunkering. The exact quantity of oil spilt is still under investigation.

Occurring just 10 days after the country’s multisectoral Interim Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) under the Department of Transport (DoT) conducted a five day training and live mock oil spillage management exercise near Robben Island, Western Cape, from May 9-13; SAMSA, DFFE and Transnet said Wednesday the unfortunate incident at Algoa Bay this week could not be more appropriately timed as the country was now properly prepared to handle incidents of the nature.

They said: “It is fortunate that the last full-scale joint industry-government oil spill response deployment exercise was held in Cape Town on 12-13 May where the National Oil Spill Response Plan was tried and tested.”

“This exercise helped considerably to ensure that the response for the spill in Algoa Bay was managed in the best possible manner and allowed for the quick deployment of resources to contain the spread of the oil and oil spill modelling. An investigation has commenced to ascertain the cause of the spillage. Bunkering operations remain suspended in Algoa Bay.”

SAMSA: STS fuel transfers remain suspended in Algoa Bay, South Africa after oil spill incident

 

Photo and video credit: South African Maritime Safety Authority
Published: 27 May, 2022

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Mass Flowmeter

Ceuta becomes first Mediterranean port to mandate certified MFMs for STS bunkering

Port Authority of Ceuta has implemented the mandatory use of international ISO 22192 certified and calibrated Mass Flow Meters for marine fuel supply by barge, effective February 2025.

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Ceuta becomes first Mediterranean port to mandate certified MFMs for STS bunkering

The Port Authority of Ceuta on Wednesday (12 February) said it has become the first Mediterranean port to mandate the use of international ISO 22192 certified and calibrated Mass Flow Meters (MFMs) for marine fuel supply by barge, effective February 2025.

It said the device ensures a much more precise marine fuel measurement, providing greater transparency and efficiency. 

“The MFM allows the collection of the most accurate and extensive real-time data on the amount of product being transferred, reducing the margin of error and improving traceability in supply operations,” the port authority said in a statement. 

“The implementation of this technology will minimise discrepancies and disputes between suppliers and shipowners regarding the amount of fuel received, ensuring more reliable and efficient management of bunkering operations.”

“Furthermore, waiting times will be reduced, and productivity will increase, making the Port of Ceuta more competitive and profitable for all the stakeholders.”

Ceuta becomes first Mediterranean port to mandate certified MFMs for STS bunkering

It added introducing the requirement for all deliveries to use MFMs reinforced Port of Ceuta's commitment to the modernisation and digitalisation of the bunker sector, aligning with the demands of the global market and contributing to the sustainability of maritime transport. 

“This milestone represents a significant progress in our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational efficiency," said the Port Authority of Ceuta. 

“By adopting MFM technology, we are reinforcing our position as a leading Mediterranean port and ensuring a high-quality, transparent service for all our clients.”

 

Photo credit: Port Authority of Ceuta
Published: 13 February, 2025

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Technology

Auramarine and Lazar Scientific team up in US for Porla Fuel Analyser

Collaboration will help expand market for Auramarine Porla Fuel Analyser, a proven technology that enhances bunkering safety, helps avoid unintended maintenance and reduces downtime and associated costs.

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Auramarine and Lazar Scientific team up in US for Porla Fuel Analyser

Finland-based fuel supply systems provider Auramarine on Wednesday (12 February) said it has agreed to collaborate with Lazar Scientific to expand the market for Auramarine’s Porla Fuel Analyser. 

Lazar Scientific is a US based company specialising in the sales and support of laboratory instrumentation. In this co-operation, Lazar Scientific is now the US distributor for Auramarine’s Porla Fuel Analyser working cooperatively with Auramarine’s sales and marketing team.

Auramarine said the proven technology enhances bunkering safety, helps avoid unintended maintenance and reduces downtime and associated costs.

“Maintaining the stability and compatibility of crude oils is essential to avoid problems such as the aggregation of asphaltenes, which can obstruct processing equipment,” it said in a statement. 

Additionally, precise measurements enable refineries to mix different crude oils efficiently, ensuring the blends remain stable. In the case of marine fuel blends, proper analysis helps in adhering to environmental regulations and standards. 

“By measuring asphaltene stability and compatibility, companies can mitigate potential hazards and ensure safer handling of crude oil,” it added. 

The Porla Fuel Analyser is an easy, reliable and fast analyser that improves the profitability of refinery processes by enabling refineries to select more cost-effective mixtures of crude oils with no risk of fouling. 

The Porla Fuel Analyser predicts the compatible blending ratios between different crude oils by measuring their blending compatibility parameters. Unlike other comparable analysers, the Porla Fuel Analyser can measure stability and compatibility parameters of crude oils that have a very low asphaltene content down to 0.05 % and complies fully with ASTM D7112.

John Bergman, CEO of Auramarine, said: "We are pleased to announce this co-operation agreement with Lazar Scientific.”

“Their vast experience in selling analysis instrumentation as well as their extensive network will ensure future opportunities and improved market share for the Porla Fuel Analyser in the US market.” 

Greg Lazarczyk, President and Owner of Lazar Scientific, said: “We are looking forward to joining forces with Auramarine to bring an analyser that reliably determines stability and compatibility of heavy fuel oils and crude oils to the US market.”

Dr. Jaakko Lehtinen, Product and Sales Manager of Porla at Auramarine will present on the new requirements in asphaltene stability and compatibility measurement of crude oil and marine fuel oils in Boston Massachusetts at Pittcon 2025 on 4 March.

 

Photo credit: Auramarine
Published: 13 February, 2025

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Environment

Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia conduct table-top exercise to strengthen oil spill response

Exercise focused on several aspects including collaboration between government agencies and oil spill response firms to optimise oil spill response resources for incidents in Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (11 February) conducted a table-top exercise (TTX) with Indonesia and Malaysia to enhance regional coordination and strengthen response capabilities for oil spills. The exercise brought together over 20 representatives from MPA, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Malaysia’s Environment Department, and oil spill response experts from ITOPF. As part of Singapore’s chairmanship of the Revolving Fund Committee (RFC) from April 2022 until March 2027, MPA led the TTX to foster collaboration between the littoral States of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The RFC, established through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the three littoral States and the Malacca Strait Council (MSC) in 1981, is a funding mechanism allowing each littoral State to draw cash advance from the Fund to combat oil spill from ships in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). The exercise focused on coordination procedures to ensure swift and clear communication between the littoral States during an oil spill incident, rapid deployment of oil spill response assets by the littoral States, and collaboration between government agencies and oil spill response companies to optimise oil spill response resources for incidents in the SOMS. The response strategies and asset deployment plans tested during the TTX will be exercised during a Ground Deployment Exercise between the three littoral States and ITOPF in 2026. Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia conducts table-top exercise to strengthen oil spill response

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (11 February) conducted a table-top exercise (TTX) with Indonesia and Malaysia to enhance regional coordination and strengthen response capabilities for oil spills. 

The exercise brought together over 20 representatives from MPA, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Malaysia’s Environment Department, and oil spill response experts from ITOPF.

As part of Singapore’s chairmanship of the Revolving Fund Committee (RFC) from April 2022 until March 2027, MPA led the TTX to foster collaboration between the littoral States of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. 

The RFC, established through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the three littoral States and the Malacca Strait Council (MSC) in 1981, is a funding mechanism allowing each littoral State to draw cash advance from the Fund to combat oil spill from ships in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS).

The exercise focused on coordination procedures to ensure swift and clear communication between the littoral States during an oil spill incident, rapid deployment of oil spill response assets by the littoral States, and collaboration between government agencies and oil spill response companies to optimise oil spill response resources for incidents in the SOMS.

The response strategies and asset deployment plans tested during the TTX will be exercised during a Ground Deployment Exercise between the three littoral States and ITOPF in 2026.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 12 February, 2025

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