Case Studies
This section contains summaries of major spills from 1967 to the present day, looking at the incident, response, our involvement together with selected bibliographies and web links, where available.
ERIKA, West of France, 1999
The Maltese tanker ERIKA, carrying some 31,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil as cargo, broke in two in a severe storm in the Bay of Biscay on 12th December 1999, 60 miles from the coast of Brittany. All members of the crew were rescued by the French maritime rescue services. Some 19,800 tonnes of oil were spilled. The bow sank on 12th December and the stern on the following day.
Categories: France, Oil, Oil Tanker, Europe, Disposal
SEA EMPRESS, Wales, UK, 1996
The oil tanker SEA EMPRESS, carrying 130,000 tonnes of Forties Blend North Sea crude oil, ran aground in the entrance to Milford Haven, South West Wales on the evening of 15th February 1996
Categories: United Kingdom, Oil, Oil Tanker, Europe, Dispersants
SEKI, Fujairah, 1994
On the 30th March 1994 the tanker BAYNUNAH collided with the tanker SEKI (153,506 GRT) off of the coast of Fujairah (United Arab Emirates) causing SEKI’s No. 1 port cargo wing tank to rupture. Although BAYNUNAH did not spill any oil as it was in ballast, SEKI was carrying 293,000 tonnes of Iranian light crude oil, of which 16,000 tonnes spilt subsequently into the Gulf of Oman.
Categories: Oil, Oil Tanker, Asia
BRAER, UK, 1993
Following engine failure, BRAER ran aground in severe weather conditions on Garth's Ness, Shetland on 5th January 1993.
Categories: United Kingdom, Oil, Oil Tanker, Europe
AEGEAN SEA, Spain, 1992
On 3rd December 1992 the Greek OBO carrier AEGEAN SEA, laden with 80,000 tonnes of North Sea Brent crude oil, ran aground during heavy weather while approaching the port of La Coruña on the Galician coast, North West Spain.
Categories: Spain, Oil, Bulk Carrier, Oil Tanker, Europe, Economic effects
KATINA P, off Mozambique, 1992
On 17th April 1992 the tanker KATINA P was disabled by a freak wave while transiting the Mozambique Channel. It was carrying 66,700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil en-route from Venezuela to the United Arab Emirates. The vessel lost hull plating amidships resulting in a release of approximately 3,000 tonnes of cargo.
Categories: Mozambique, Oil, Oil Tanker, Africa
ABT SUMMER, off Angola, 1991
On 28th May 1991, ABT SUMMER, fully laden with a cargo of 260,000 tonnes of Iranian heavy crude oil, experienced an explosion and a fire about 900 miles off the coast of Angola.
Categories: Algeria, Angola, Oil, Oil Tanker, Africa
HAVEN, Italy, 1991
On 11th April 1991 the very large crude carrier HAVEN, with 144,000 tonnes of Iranian heavy crude oil onboard, suffered an explosion while anchored in Genoa Roads.
Categories: Italy, Oil, Oil Tanker, Europe
AGIP ABRUZZO, Italy, 1991
On the 10th April 1991, the ro-ro ferry MOBY PRINCE collided with the tanker AGIP ABRUZZO (98,544 GT; built 1977) in the Italian port of Livorno. AGIP ABRUZZO was carrying around 80,000 tonnes of Iranian light crude oil at the time. The collision caused serious damage to the starboard aft tanks, resulting in the release of ~2,000 tonnes of crude oil and an unknown amount of Intermediate Fuel Oil (IFO) 380 bunkers.
ARAGON, off Madeira, 1989
On the 29th December, 1989, whilst under tow following steering gear failure, the Spanish tanker ARAGON suffered heavy weather damage some 360 miles off the coast of Madeira. This resulted in the loss of about 25,000 tonnes of Mexican Maya crude from the No.1 centre tank.
Categories: Portugal, Oil, Oil Tanker, Europe