SOUTHERN PUMA

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Tanker sheltered in Algeciras after collision

The 'Southern Puma' docked at the Exempt Dock of the Port of Algeciras on Nov 2 shortly after 9 am, where it will remain sheltered until a space is made available in a shipyard to carry out the repair of the hull damage suffered in the collision in the Mediterranean with the 'Louisa Bolten' about 20 miles east of Punta Europa. As a result of the impact, the 'Southern Puma' has suffered a leak in one of the starboard tanks. Before proceeding with repairs, the tanker's cargo must be transferred to another vessel under conditions and at a location determined by the Maritime Authority and the Port Authority of Algeciras Bay (APBA). This decision will be made after a thorough evaluation of the 'Southern Puma '. Although the affected tank does not pose an immediate risk of spillage, additional safety measures have been taken. The ship was surrounded by a containment barrier to mitigate any environmental risk The organization Verdemar Ecologistas en Acción has urged the Maritime Authority to analyze the possible environmental effects of an alleged spill of 600 tons of paraffin in the Strait of Gibraltar. The tanker was heading to the refinery facilities in San Roque at the time of the accident. The Maritime Authority maintained that the spilled substance will evaporate without causing significant damage to the environment. In the early hours of the collision, Salvamento Marítimo had deployed the SAR vessels 'Salvamar Atria', 'Luz de Mar' and 'Salvamar Denebola' to guard the 'Louisa Bolten', which is currently about 20 miles from Ceuta, while the exact circumstances of the accident were clarified.

Collision off Punta Europa

On Nov 1, 2024, at 4.20 a.m.  the 'Southern Puma', en route from Antwerp to Bilbao, was in collision with the bulk carrier 'Louisa Bolten' (IMO: 9406049), en route from Avonmouth to Aliaga, about 20 nautucal miles from Punta Europa (Lat. 36.0279 Lng. -4.9585) . The 'Southern Puma' informed Salvamento Marítimo that it had suffered damage to one side, while the 'Louisa Bolten' had suffered damage to the bow. Both ships still could navigate safely and there were no personal injuries. After the collision, the SAR vessels 'Luz de Mar', 'Salvamar Denébola 'and Salvamar Atria', as well as a helicopter and a plane, have been deployed by Salvamento Marítimo to inspect the accident area and take samples. During the morning hours, with daylight, the helicopter ‘Helimer 220’ flew over the area and detected a stain coming from the ‘Southern Puma’ that was not very large and from which the ‘Salvamar Denébola’ took samples to deliver them to the Maritime Authority of Algeciras. The same vessel later transferred an inspector from the Maritime Authority to the area and it was expected that another surveillance flight would be carried out on the afternoon to inspect the site . So far there is no evidence that either of the two ships was carrying a dangerous cargo in terms of pollution, although the authorities were waiting to determine the characteristics of the spill. The 'Louisa Bolten' had an ETA at Aliaga as of Nov 6 and resumed sailing at around 11 a.m. UTC. The tanker was ordered to remain at the accident site. The association Verdemar Ecologistas en Acción has asked the Maritime Authority to identify the effects on the sea of ​​the spill of 600 tons of paraffin in the Strait. The environmental group has indicated that the 'Southern Puma' was loaded with paraffin that it planned to unload at the dock of the Moeve facilities (the new name of Cepsa) in San Roque (Cádiz).