Oil Spill Near Port Elizabeth 突发！伊丽莎白港附近海域漏油事故

Image Credit: the Internet

图片源于网络

As of September 10, a 6492TEU container ship is under investigation for the culprit of an oil spill in Algoa Bay, South Africa. On September 7, blobs and an oily sheen were reported on the water by a vessel in the area.

据外媒9月10日最新消息，一艘6492TEU集装箱船正在接受调查，因为它是南非阿尔戈亚湾地区漏油的源头。根据南非海事安全局（SAMSA）的说法，9月7日星期六，一艘在阿尔戈亚湾地区行驶的船只首次报告了水面上的油光和油状斑点。

The National Ports Authority (TNPA) sent an emergency boat that confirmed the oil source as the container ship. Due to nightfall, the boat failed to track the oil spill situation.

国家港口管理局(TNPA)船舶交通管理局派出的一艘应急艇证实水面上有石油，并指出上述集装箱船是石油来源，但由于夜幕降临，无法进一步追踪泄漏情况。

SAMSA indicated that measures have been taken to promptly address the situation, including identifying the cause of the spill, assessing its extent, and implementing control measures to mitigate its spread in Algoa Bay, while protecting wildlife on nearby St. Croix Island and Bird Island. As the investigation advances, the vessel’s hull will be cleaned to prevent additional pollution. The affected ship remains anchored near Elizabeth with potential sailing schedule delays.

SAMSA表示：“已作出安排，迅速开展必要的工作，以确定泄油的原因，报告的漏油范围，以及如何控制其在阿尔戈阿湾地区的蔓延，并保护附近圣克罗伊岛和伯德岛的野生动物。”随着调查的继续，当局计划清理船体，以防止进一步的污染。目前漏油船只仍锚泊伊丽莎白附近海域，预计后续船期将延误。

Recurring Vessel Spill Incidents Worldwide

各地船舶漏油事件频发

In recent years, ship oil spills have become increasingly common. In 2024, there have been several incidents. On February 7, the government of Trinidad and Tobago scrambled to clean up a massive oil spill as they discovered oil from a capsized vessel off the west coast of Tobago, which spread quickly and covered the southwestern coastline. On June 14, two ships collided at Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal, causing one vessel to leak fuel. On July 25, a tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel capsized and sank in Manila Bay, Philippines, killing one crew member and spilling fuel.

近年来，船舶漏油事件频发，仅2024年就发生了多起，2月7日上午，特立尼达和多巴哥共和国政府在多巴哥西海岸意外发现一艘倾覆船只释放的浮油，该浮油迅速扩散，覆盖了加勒比海岛西南海岸线，当地政府随即宣布全国进入紧急状态。6月14日下午，新加坡巴西班让码头有两艘船只发生了碰撞，事故直接导致其中一艘船的部分燃油泄漏。7月25日，菲律宾马尼拉湾内一艘运载140万升工业燃油的油轮倾覆并沉没，造成一名船员死亡，并导致燃油泄漏。

The Adverse Impact of Oil Leak

船舶漏油的危害

Oil spills can cause severe damage to both marine environments and shipping operations. When ports and waterways are polluted by oil spills, the normal flow of vessels can be disrupted, impacting port operations and the regular movement of cargo. Furthermore, the cleanup and recovery efforts can lead to damage to port infrastructure, incurring costly repairs. The oil spill in Alaska can be a typical example. On March 24, 1989, a large oil tanker ran aground near Prince William Sound, on the U.S.-Canada border, spilling more than 8 million gallons of crude oil. The spill created a slick about 1 kilometer wide and 800 kilometers long. The cost of cleanup and environmental restoration amounted to $2.8 billion. The losses from this incident brought global attention to the dangers of oil spills, prompting the U.S. Congress to pass the first-ever Oil Pollution Act, which had a significant impact on oil shippers and the shipping industry.

漏油事件对海洋及航运都会造成极大的危害，漏油一旦污染了港口和航道，可能会影响船舶的正常进出港，从而影响港口的运营效率和货物的正常流通。此外，漏油事件的处理和清理工作也可能对码头的设施造成一定的损坏，需要投入资金进行修复‌。一个典型案例就是美国阿拉斯加海域漏油事件。1989年3月24日，一艘巨型油轮在阿拉斯加州美、加交界的威廉王子湾附近触礁，原油泄出达800多万加仑，在海面上形成一条宽约1公里、长达800公里的漂油带，整个清污和修复环境的费用累计高达28亿美元。该事故产生的损失，使得全世界对于船舶漏油的危险性、危害性高度重视起来。它直接促使美国国会出台了全球首部《油污法》，这部法律对石油运输的货主、船舶航运公司的生产和经营产生了重大影响。

The Response Measures to Prevent Oil Spill

如何应对船舶漏油

In light of the recurring marine oil pollution incidents, international and national authorities are increasingly turning to legislation and conventions to bolster prevention and penalties. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the most extensive global agreement aimed at preventing ship pollution, imposes legal responsibilities on shipowners and operators for oil pollution. In the event of an oil spill, shipowners and operators shall cover environmental cleanup costs and compensation, with fines based on the severity of the spill and its environmental effects.

面对频发的海洋油污事件，国际社会和各国政府纷纷通过立法和公约来加强对油污污染的预防和处罚。《国际防止船舶造成污染公约》（MARPOL）作为全球最全面的防止船舶污染国际公约，规定船东和船舶运营人对油污污染负有法律责任，一旦船舶出现漏油，相关方可能会面临重罚。违反该公约的船舶所有人或船舶运营人需要支付环境修复费用和赔偿金，罚款金额依据泄漏规模和其对环境的影响而定。

The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC) and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (Fund) aims to ensure that adequate compensation is available to victims of oil pollution. Under the CLC, shipowners are subject to strict liability for damages arising from oil spills irrespective of negligence. The Fund’s supplementary compensation is available when the CLC compensation limits are insufficient for covering the damages to affected parties.

《国际油污损害民事责任公约》（CLC）和《国际油污损害赔偿基金公约》（FUND）确保油污事件发生后，受害者能够获得足够的赔偿。《国际油污损害民事责任公约》规定了船东在油污事件中的严格责任，即使船东没有过错，也要对油污事件承担责任，而《国际油污损害赔偿基金公约》设立的赔偿基金则用于在船东赔偿限额不足时提供额外赔偿。

The stringent penalties and liability mechanisms for oil pollution worldwide reflect a global consensus on the necessity of protecting the marine environment and ensuring the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems. Under national laws and international agreements, substantial fines for oil pollution present serious challenges for shipowners and operators. We offer secure and reliable fuel services, as well as assistance in dealing with oil spills and port negotiations. If you need help, feel free to contact E-PORTS in advance.

全球对油污污染的严格处罚和责任追究机制表明，保护海洋环境、确保海洋生物的健康和可持续发展已成为全球共识。在各国立法和国际公约的约束下，高额的油污罚款对船舶经营管理方提出了严峻挑战。E-PORTS 提供安全可靠的加油服务，可以协助处理海上油污事件及港口协商事务。如有需求，欢迎提前联系 E-PORTS。

We can deliver satisfactory services to you in alignment with your needs. You can contact us at 400-920-8810.

我们将根据您的需求，为您提供满意的服务。您可以拨打 400-920-8810 进行咨询。