Oil Spill in Cuxhaven Harbor After Collision Between Tanker and OSV

German authorities have reported a significant oil spill in Cuxhaven Harbor following a collision between a small product tanker and an outbound OSV. The incident occurred as the German-flagged product tanker, Capella, collided with the Dutch-flagged OSV Coastal Legend while the tanker was inbound to Cuxhaven from Bremerhaven.

The collision resulted in the spillage of at least 6,000 liters of fuel into the harbor. Capella sustained minor damage, while Coastal Legend suffered a gash approximately 80 centimeters long, leading to fuel leakage. Despite the environmental impact of the spill, fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew members of either vessel.

Efforts are underway to contain the spill and prevent it from entering the Elbe River. An oil boom has been placed around Coastal Legend, and a pumping operation is in progress to transfer the spilled fuel to the bunker vessel Herta. Divers are working to seal the leak on the damaged OSV.

The German authorities have deployed skimmers and booms to recover the spilled oil in the harbor. As of the latest update, approximately 80 cubic meters of a watery fuel mix have been successfully collected and are being disposed of properly.

An oil reconnaissance aircraft has been monitoring the spill, confirming that most of the fuel has been contained and prevented from spreading further into the Elbe. The Water Police are investigating the cause of the collision, while both vessels remain stable and pose no immediate danger.

Shipping traffic on the Elbe has not been disrupted by the recovery operation, ensuring minimal impact on maritime activities in the area. The swift response and coordinated efforts of authorities and maritime organizations have been crucial in managing the aftermath of the collision and mitigating the environmental consequences of the oil spill in Cuxhaven Harbor.