site.btaUnloading of Stranded Panamanian-flagged Ship Suspended over Immediate Pollution Risk
SC 14:27:31 28-09-2021
DD1426.113
113 ENVIRONMENT - STRANDED SHIP - UNLOADING - STOPPED
Unloading of
Stranded Panamanian-flagged Ship Suspended
over Immediate Pollution Risk
Sofia, September 28 (BTA) - Environment and Water Minister Asen Lichev Tuesday ordered the Maritime Administration Executive Agency to suspend the unloading of urea from the stranded Panamanian-flagged ship Vera Su. The decision was prompted by an immediate risk of pollution of the Black Sea, the Environment Ministry said.
Unloading was halted until an environment-friendly technology can ensure that the cargo will not spill and pollute the seawater.
The Environment Ministry found that part of the cargo dropped into the sea while it was unloaded by a floating crane onto small vessels. This method is altogether different from the one approved by the Environment Ministry late on Monday when it was decided that 700 tonnes of the bulk cargo must be packed into one-tonne sacks and transferred to barges, with a chute placed between ship and barge to prevent spillage.
The Vera Su, carrying 3,300 t of urea and 20 t of fuel, was bound for the port of Varna. It ran aground off the shore of Kamen Bryag last week, in an area which is part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 conservation network. /DS/DD//
DD1426.113
113 ENVIRONMENT - STRANDED SHIP - UNLOADING - STOPPED
Unloading of
Stranded Panamanian-flagged Ship Suspended
over Immediate Pollution Risk
Sofia, September 28 (BTA) - Environment and Water Minister Asen Lichev Tuesday ordered the Maritime Administration Executive Agency to suspend the unloading of urea from the stranded Panamanian-flagged ship Vera Su. The decision was prompted by an immediate risk of pollution of the Black Sea, the Environment Ministry said.
Unloading was halted until an environment-friendly technology can ensure that the cargo will not spill and pollute the seawater.
The Environment Ministry found that part of the cargo dropped into the sea while it was unloaded by a floating crane onto small vessels. This method is altogether different from the one approved by the Environment Ministry late on Monday when it was decided that 700 tonnes of the bulk cargo must be packed into one-tonne sacks and transferred to barges, with a chute placed between ship and barge to prevent spillage.
The Vera Su, carrying 3,300 t of urea and 20 t of fuel, was bound for the port of Varna. It ran aground off the shore of Kamen Bryag last week, in an area which is part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 conservation network. /DS/DD//
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