Bunker spill in Algeciras reported
The Southern Waters of Gibraltar are a dual marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protected Area (SPA), Ship and Bunker reports.
A spill resulting from bunkering has been reported off Algeciras, the Government of Gibraltar (GOG) has said in a statement.
The GOG said they were alerted to what was reported as a 50 litre spill during the bunkering of the 10,545 dwt Cook Islands registered reefer Fegulus by the Spanish press, but "the size of the slick would indicate considerably more."
"Gibraltar has offered assistance to the Port authorities of Algeciras, which has been refused," it said.
The Government stressed it would "spare no effort" to contain the spill with "the majority of the oil" located to the south of Rosia in the vicinity of Camp Bay and Europa Point.
The spill could potentially affect beaches and marine life in the Southern Waters of Gibraltar, which under the EU Habitats Directive are a dual marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protected Area (SPA).
The incident is the second bunkering related spill in the waters this month.
Last week Ship & Bunker reported the Government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Port Authority confirmed a bunkering accident was responsible for a spill of approximately 3 tonnes off the North Mole, Gibraltar on 8 June, 2012.