Stalwart Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On March 8, the Gibraltar Port Authority announced that the bulk carrier 'AM Ghent' is facing legal prosecution following a significant oil spill incident. The Magistrates imposed a hefty fine of £20,000 on the vessel. Moreover, the vessel's owners are required to secure a £1.5 million bond through their Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club to ensure that any cleanup costs incurred by the Gibraltar Government are covered. This bond was essential for the 'AM Ghent' to be granted permission for departure from Gibraltar. Currently, the ship is on its way to Norfolk, Virginia, with an estimated time of arrival set for March 13.

The captain of the vessel 'AM Ghent' has been released on police bail as of February 25, following serious allegations of environmental offenses. He stands accused of two significant crimes: permitting an oil spill within port waters and damaging the breeding grounds of a protected species under European law. The captain is scheduled to appear at the Peñón Magistrates Court on the morning of February 26. The investigation into the incident involves collaboration among the Gibraltar Port Authority, the Gibraltar Maritime Administration, and the Department of the Environment. According to the initial reports from the Government of Gibraltar, the spill was triggered by a malfunction in one of the ship's ventilation valves. In response, the Gibraltar port authority activated its anti-pollution plan to address the situation. The fuel spill has affected a vast area of the Bay of Algeciras, with authorities indicating that they received the first notification of the spill at 6:50 a.m. on February 12. However, it wasn’t until 11 a.m., over four hours later, that the Spanish authorities were alerted. This delay hindered the timely deployment of containment barriers by the Captaincy of the Port of Algeciras and Salvamento Marítimo. Subsequently, two Royal Navy ships were dispatched to assist in mitigating the effects of the spill alongside the 'Salvamar Denébola'. A coordinated effort from the port captain of Gibraltar involved liaising with Royal Navy commands to ensure that Spanish civil vessels were not obstructed, enabling them to successfully deploy a barrier from the La Línea dock, which effectively protected the Spanish coast from further contamination.

Authorities in Gibraltar have initiated a comprehensive response to an oil spill attributed to the bulk carrier 'AM Ghent' during its fueling operations in the bay's anchorage. The incident occurred on February 12, when a malfunctioning venting valve released an unspecified quantity of fuel into British waters on the Gibraltar side of the bay. Having arrived from Taranto the day before, 'AM Ghent' has since been held in detention by the Gibraltar government, which is demanding accountability from the vessel's owners for the environmental damage caused by the spill. As of February 17, the bulk carrier remained anchored off Gibraltar's coast while the government evaluated options for financial recovery, including potential prosecution under the Port Rules. In collaboration with the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) and various agencies, the government has mobilized resources from the private sector to address the spill effectively. Initial cleanup operations concentrated on redeploying assets to tackle the oil presence within the inner harbor, successfully collecting all visible free-floating oil. Efforts were subsequently broadened to recover oil and debris from stagnant fuel patches dotted throughout the harbor area. Cleanup crews have continued their diligent work this week, relocating to sites including South Mole Corner, Small Boats Marina, Western Arm, Rosia Bay, and other isolated patches. Moreover, as free-floating oil is being managed, teams have started cleaning impacted surfaces such as quay walls and properties affected by the spill. The Gibraltar government has reassured the community that these cleanup efforts will persist until all remnants of the spill are eliminated and the coastline is entirely restored to its natural condition.