Marine fuel spill at the container terminal

Wednesday February 5, 2003

At about 21:00 on 4 February 2003, a spill of marine fuel occurred during routine pressure testing of a wharfside bunker pipeline used by Joint Bunkering Services.

The pipeline runs through a concrete tunnel along the wharf at the container terminal and during the routine testing the fuel leaked from the pipe into the tunnel. The tunnel has an automatic pump-out system to keep it free of storm water which resulted in some fuel being pumped into the harbour.

Using a boom the spill has been trapped between the quayside and a ship and the estimated 1000 litres (5 standard drums) of fuel is now being recovered. The harbour authorities are involved in the clean-up operation and it is expected that the recovery will be complete within a few hours. Because the oil is quite thick at room temperature, it is relatively easy to remove from the water and no lasting environmental impact is expected.

The two kilometre section of the wharfside bunkering pipeline was replaced in 2000 with a state-of-the-art non-metallic material and this has been satisfactorily in service for over two years. It is too early to say what caused the spill, but an investigation is underway and the pipeline will be repaired as soon as possible.

Joint Bunkering Services do not anticipate any disruption to their service as the bunker barge will be used to supply fuel to ships.