04MAR2019 - NEWS - Grounded bulk carrier leaks tonnes of heavy fuel oil near a UNESCO World Heritage site

An environmental disaster has been unfolding in the Solomon Islands this week after a grounded bulk carrier there is reported to have leaked tonnes of heavy fuel oil near a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 73,592 dwt MV Solomon Trader has been aground since February 5th when it was pushed onto a reef in Kangava Bay off Rennell Island during a tropical cyclone while loading bauxite at a nearby mine. Since then, Australia has been working with the Solomon Islands government on the response. Officials this week said the ship has now leaked as much 60 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the pristine bay. More than 500 tonnes is estimated to remain onboard. The nearby East Rennell atoll and its surrounding corals has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 and is listed as one of the World Heritage Sites in Danger by the UNESCO committee in 2013.

Published by Editor - www.Livebunkers.com at 04-Mar-2019 06:38:34 [UTC] , contact editor at editor@livebunkers.com