South African health and environmental authorities have cleared all the toxic waste off the NS Qingdao which is docked in Durban, the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) has announced.
However, it has advised that the investigation into the cause of the fire that set the problematic chemical cargo alight could take at least another 12 months. The NS Qingdao would remain in detention until its seaworthiness could be established, the authority said.
Authorities had “grappled daily” with the responsibility of clearing the toxic cargo, ever since the Marshall Islands-registered cargo vessel first called at Durban port about six months ago. However, authorities have now managed to clear the cargo and safely dispose of it, bringing the long salvage operation that started in October to an end.
“Waste cargo from the vessel’s hold No 3 was discharged in almost 1 000 skips and was responsibly disposed of at Vissershok High Hazardous Waste Management Site. Potentially contaminated ballast water pumped into ISO tanks was disposed of at the same site. During the discharge operation in the Port of Saldanha Bay, no cargo residue entered the water,” Samsa said.
Authorities also continued to keep a watchful eye on the surrounding ocean areas, without evidence to date that marine life and the environment have been affected.
“To date no threats to the marine life or environment related to the emergency disposal of cargo approximately 250km offshore have been noted,” Samsa said.
Environmental monitoring in accordance with the agreed Environmental Management Plan by the P&I Club’s appointed environmental specialists, in collaboration with the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment, which includes amongst others satellite imaging of the area, will continue.
Samsa said the investigation into the cause of the chemical cargo’s instability and related matters would continue, involving a collaborative approach between the vessel’s flag state, Marshall Islands, and SA authorities, with the vessel remaining in detention pending proof of its seaworthiness.
“The vessel remains detained, subject to further inspections and repairs as required, and will not be put to sea unless her seaworthiness can be confirmed. Samsa and the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment have reached agreement with the vessel’s owners and P&I Club to implement a medium- to long-term environmental monitoring programme. The programme will deal not only with any immediate impact, but also monitor and mitigate any future impacts,” Samsa added.
“The vessel’s Marshall Islands flag state-appointed investigation team is still investigating the root cause, with Samsa sharing any available information. A final report, which will be shared with Samsa, is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.”
