An oil spill in the Mediterranean, caused after ferry Ulysse (IMO 9142459) hit anchored container ship CSL Virginia (IMO 9289568) off the coast of Corsica on Sunday morning, continues to be fought by France and Italy.
France’s Maritime Prefect said on Tuesday October 8th that the oil pollution now covered more than 25km, up from 20km on the Monday, and had broken into seven sections.
The weather and seas were calm; waves were up to 1.25 metres and winds were averaging of 20 km/h to the west.
Seven anti-pollution vessels participating in the European Maritime Safety Agency network are at the scene/
Ulysse collided side-on in a T-bone strike with CLS Virginia approximately about 28 km north of Cape Corsica early on Sunday, causing a large breach of the container ship’s hull and resulting in the leaking of bunker fuel.
The vessel reportedly struck at a rate of 19 knots and to date the attempts to separate the ships have been unsuccessful. Authorities said the RAMOGEPOL agreement had been activated in response to the incident. This is an emergency response plan set up by France, Italy and Monaco in 1993 to combat incidences of accidental marine pollution in the Mediterranean.
2005-built, Cyprus-flagged, 54,592 gt CSL Virginia is owned by Duraven Shipping Co Ltd care of manager Cyprus Sea Lines Co of Athens, Greece. It is entered with Britannia P&I Club on behalf of Duraven Shipping Co Ltd.
1997-built, Tunisia-flagged, 17,907 gt Ulysse is owned and managed by Cotunav of Tunis, Tunisia. It is entered with UK P&I Club (Group London L3) on behalf of Cie Tunisienne de Navigation SA (COTUNAV).