- Product Tanker Leaks 2000 Litres of Phosphoric Acid in the Port of Saint-Malo, France
The product tanker NQ Rosa leaked around 2000 litres of phosphoric acid while docked at the Port of Saint-Malo, France. Reports indicate an injured security guard, but fortunately, there have been no casualties or pollution from the incident.
The incident occurred at around 5:30 a.m.local time on 20th October, as the vessel was unloading its cargo of phosphoric acid while moored at the Jacques Cartier Quay in the Port of Saint-Malo.
According to reports, a ruptured hose caused the leak, spilling around 2000 litres of phosphoric acid into the retention tank. Although there was no runoff into the port’s waters, splashes of acid reached the quayside. A security guard on rounds during the incident was rushed to the hospital due to acid exposure.
Twenty-four firefighters specialised in chemical hazards were deployed to the scene and arrived around 9:00 a.m. By 1:00 p.m. that day, the emergency response was complete, and security perimeters were lifted.
The shipment of phosphoric acid was headed to Phosphea, a company owned by the Roullier Group. The group has stated there was no contamination of port waters, and a quayside cleanup is already underway.
The Nq Rosa is a Maltese-flagged Chemical tanker that was built in 2004. The vessel has a length of 112.02 metres, a beam of 19.03 metres, and a gross tonnage of 5,451.
- Ro-Ro Passenger Ship Suffers Cargo Shift en Route to Scrabster, UK
A Ro-Ro/ Passenger ship Hamnavoe experienced a cargo shift on 22nd October while sailing from Stromness to Scrabster, United Kingdom. Several vehicles sustained damage, though no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
The incident occurred at around 8 am local time, causing damage to five vehicles including two vans and three cars. Despite developing a starboard list, the Hamnavoe continued to Scrabster under its own power, where passengers and undamaged vehicles were safely disembarked. No structural damage to the vessel was reported.
Following the event, the crew carried out a full assessment on board. The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has conducted preliminary enquiries and is yet to confirm whether a formal investigation will follow. No pollution was reported, and the ship returned to service later the same day.
Hamnavoe is a 2002-built Ro-Ro/ Passenger ship sailing under the flag of the United Kingdom. The vessel measures 112 meters in length, 18.5 meters in width and 8780 of gross tonnage.
- Fire breaks out Aboard General Cargo Vessel at Cartagena, Spain
A fire broke out aboard the general cargo vessel Sloman Dispatcher on 18th October as the vessel was docked at the port of Escombreras, located in Cartagena, Spain. The fire was reportedly brought under control without any injuries or pollution.
The incident occurred at around 12:50 p.m. local time on 18th October, when a fire ignited on tarps covering the vessel’s cargo of engines. The blaze developed simultaneously in two adjacent but distinct sections of the cargo hold.
Responders from the Cartagena City Council’s Fire and Rescue Service responded quickly to the incident, along with the Port Police and the Civil Guard. The personnel aboard the vessel had already deployed two hose lines trying to combat the fire. The firefighting forces intervened and declared the fire extinguished by 3:00 p.m. Current conjecture suggests the fire originated from oxyacetylene cutting work.
The Sloman Dispatcher is an Antigua & Barbuda-flagged general cargo vessel that was built in 2012. The vessel has a length of 138.1 meters, a beam of 21.36 meters, and a gross tonnage of 9,611.
