Bunker Fuel Spilled from Maersk Ship at Port of Hong Kong

MV Maersk Gateshead. File Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Andrew Mackinnon

An unknown quantity of bunker fuel was spilled at the Port of Hong Kong on Sunday during bunkering operations on a Maersk ship at berth, A.P. Moller Maersk confirmed Monday.

The bunkering was taking place on the 4,340 TEU Maersk Gateshead as it was berthed at the Modern Terminal Limited.

At this time, the amount of fuel oil that was spilled has not been confirmed. Photos posted online allegedly showing the vessel show dark oil spilling over the side of the ship.

MAERSK container ship massive oil spill in Hong Kong https://t.co/svYcNQNYad pic.twitter.com/H4bEx9E1nx

— Voytenko Mikhail (@Maritime_Bullet) January 6, 2019

“We can confirm that on January 6, crew on our container vessel Maersk Gateshead discovered an oil spill on deck during bunkering operations while at berth at Modern Terminal Limited in Hong Kong,” Maersk said in an emailed statement provided to gCaptain. “Bunkering operations were ceased instantly and the leakage was stopped, however some of the oil spilled over the ship side into the water.

“Hong Kong Marine Department and Environmental Protection Administration were informed immediately and clean-up operations carried on throughout the day, on vessel deck, hull and sea surface. Maersk Gateshead has suspended all cargo operations and is awaiting further instructions.

“Maersk takes this incident very seriously. In coordination with relevant authorities an investigation into the circumstances behind the incident has been launched,” the statement said.

Maersk Gateshead is owned by A.P. Moller Maersk and operates on the AC1 service. The vessel was built in 2002 and sails under Danish flag.

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