“Nobody wants to hear that the ocean is being used as a dumping site, but in this case all the relevant authorities are working together to minimise the risks to prevent a potential environmental disaster if left unchecked.”
This according to minister Anton Bredell, MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
Bredell’s comments come after the NS Quindao bulk cargo ship received authorisation to commence a controlled dumping of unstable chemical cargo 250 km off the West Coast.
Criticism and concern from locals, environmentalists and academics have been made about the National Department of Forestry, Fishieries and Environment (DFFE) and the South African Maritime Safety Authorities (SAMSA) decision to allow for the dumping.
NS Quindao was brought into the port of Saldanha Bay over the past weekend. Bredell explains approximately 1 300 tons of cargo were dumped during the offshore exercise, which resulted in the onboard fire being brought under control.
The emergency has now been downscaled from a Severe Maritime Emergency to a salvage operation that can be safely managed in port.
According to Bredell, this situation is a good example of a national situation that has direct local impact. Since Monday (31 January) 12 skips of 5 tons each has successfully transferred to the Vissershok High Hazardous Waste Management site, with another 12 more planned for the following day.
The bulk cargo ship’s cargo became unstable late last year with both the national and provincial government part of the Joint Operations Committee from the start of the operation as early as December when the cargo became unstable, and the ship had to be towed out to sea.
SAMSA later decided to bring the vessel to the local harbour. SAMSA supported by DFFE representatives, conducted a vessel inspection offshore to determine whether it was safe to do so and after reviewing reports from the Chemical and Fire specialists on board.
Meanwhile the Transnet National Port Authority has provided a berth for the vessel.
“We want to be sure that all safety protocols are being adhered to, and that the salvage operation is done in a safe and responsible manner,” the minister urged. The cause of the incident is still under investigation and a chemical analysis of the cargo is being conducted to determine the underlying factors for the fire and whether the vessel had any undeclared cargo in the hold.
