Investigation Into Oil Spill in South Africa’s Algoa Bay

A 22-year-old container ship, the MSC Apollo, sailing under the Cyprus flag, is under investigation for allegedly causing an oil spill in South Africa’s Algoa Bay.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported that on Saturday, 7th September, an oily sheen and oil-like blobs were first spotted on the water by a passing ship, which then notified the TNPA Vessel Traffic Service. 

A response vessel was sent to the scene and confirmed the presence of oil in the water, with initial signs pointing to the MSC Apollo as the possible source. Unfortunately, nightfall prevented further tracking of the spill.

Later that day, SAMSA contacted the ship’s insurers and requested an oil spill trajectory model from the International Tanker Owners' Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF). The goal was to predict where the spill might spread and guide further search efforts. 

SAMSA also held a meeting with the South African Incident Management Organisation (IMORG) to determine the cause and scope of the spill, as well as containment measures.

However, subsequent searches in the predicted areas, including a surveillance flight and foot patrols of beaches from the Port of Ngqura to the Sundays River, turned up no further evidence of oil in the water.

A follow-up meeting of IMORG shifted focus to cleaning oil stains from the hull of the MSC Apollo. Poor weather conditions delayed the cleaning operation, which SAMSA confirmed would begin as soon as the weather permits.

SANParks rangers, alongside volunteers, have been deployed to the San Croix island group to assist any wildlife affected by the oil spill. The ship’s insurers have also committed to deploying drones to monitor the coastline. Local residents have been asked to report any sightings of wildlife impacted by the spill to the authorities.