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.
GULSAR ANA, Madagascar, 2009
On 26th August 2009, the laden bulk carrier GULSER ANA ran aground on the southern coast of Madagascar, approximately 1.2 km offshore. Within a few days the vessel suffered serious structural deterioration which led to an immediate and significant oil spill and loss of rock phosphate cargo
Categories: Madagascar, Bulk Carrier, Africa, Environmental effects, Disposal
HEBEI SPIRIT, Republic of Korea, 2007
On 7th December 2007, the VLCC HEBEI SPIRIT (146,848GT, built 1993), laden with 209,000 tonnes of four different Middle Eastern crude oils, was struck by a crane barge whilst at anchor off Taean, South Korea.
Categories: Korea, Oil, Oil Tanker, Asia, Response Techniques, Environmental effects, Economic effects, Disposal, Compensation, Dispersants
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