Tanker spills oil in Grand Harbour

The Malta Maritime Authority said this evening that it is investigating an oil spill that occurred today at about 2.30 p.m. at Ras Hanzir Dolphins in Grand Harbour. This was the second oil spill to be reported today. Earlier this afternoon the Resources Ministry said Enemalta officials had been suspended after 31 tonnes of aviation fuel were spilled in an underground pumping operation at Ghar Dalam installation, and the case was not reported to senior management for a week.

The Grand Harbour spill occurred during a routine operation when the oil tanker “Anchor Bay”, operated by Island Bunker Oils Co Ltd, was loading gas oil (diesel) from the harbour fuelling installation. Around 300 litres of diesel were spilled.

Following the incident, MMA personnel monitored the clean up process by the vessel’s contractor. Oil containment booms were deployed around the inboard side of the tanker in order to contain the fuel between the vessel and the jetty, thus allowing the oil to be collected.

"No damage to the environment is envisaged, no injuries were reported and shipping operations at the port were not affected by this incident," the MMA said.