Was The World’s ‘Northern-Most Island’ Erased From Charts?
by Kevin Hamilton (University of Hawaii) In 2021, an expedition off the icy northern Greenland coast spotted what appeared to be a previously uncharted island. It was small and gravelly,...
The Oriental Nicety, aka the former Exxon Valdez, has been sold for scrap, almost 23 years after running aground on Bligh Reef and forever reserving its place in the history books.
Tradewinds broke the news yesterday that the vessel that infamously spilled 11 million gallons of oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound, the largest tanker spill ever in U.S. waters, was sold to Global Marketing Systems Inc., the world’s biggest cash buyer of ships for demolition, for $460 per ldt, or roughly $16 million.
Now named the Oriental Nicety (the vessel has changed names and owners four times throughout its lifetime according to Bloomberg), the tanker was converted into an ore carrier in 2007 and was later severely damaged in a collision with a cargo ship in the South China Sea in 2010.
But despite its rough past, the vessel will reportedly sail under her own power to India where she will eventually be demolished.
In addition to costing Exxon billions of dollars in cleanup costs and fines, and litigation that continues to this day, the accident led to the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, mandating the phase out single-hulled tankers, among other things.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,928 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign UpMaritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,928 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up