- Panama Ship Registry defends its reputation after Mauritius bunker spill.
- Bulk carrier Wakashio spilled around 1,000 mt of bunker fuel before breaking apart.
- Bulker by all means complies with the International Conventions established by the IMO and passed all required inspections and was safe to sail.
Panama Ship Registry responded defending its reputation after Mauritius bunker spill, says an article published in Ship & Bunker.
Mauritius environmental disaster
The Panama Ship Registry released a statement emphatically defending its reputation against allegations made on social media about its role in the recent environmental disaster in Mauritius.
The Panama-flagged dry bulk carrier Wakashio ran aground in Mauritius on July 25, and spilled around 1,000 mt of bunker fuel before breaking apart over the weekend.
For more information read our article [Watch] Mauritius Bulk Carrier Splits Into Two After Spilling Oil
Social media allegations
According to the organisation, a video circulating on social media attributes some of the blame to the Panama registry for the disaster and accused it of being lax in the application of safety regulations.
The organisation said, “The Wakashio had passed all required inspections, it had the necessary insurance policies and it was safe to sail”.
Complies with International Conventions
- The bulk carrier Wakashio, was built by Universal Shipbuilding Corporation in Japan.
- Incorporated to the Panamanian Registry on March 29, 2007.
- Has all its valid technical certification, issued by the NKCLASS (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) Classification Society, a statutory certification valid until April 22, 2021, when it must undergo its cycle of inspections for due renovations.
- The last flag inspection was completed in Japan, March 1, 2020 in Kawasaki, Japan and a previous Port State Inspection was conducted at Port Hedland, WA, Australia on the 14th of February, 2020.
Therefore, the ship, both in its structure and equipment, complies with the International Conventions established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Offers full cooperation
The Panama Ship Registry deeply regrets the fuel spill off the coast of Mauritius as a result of this serious maritime accident and the Panama Maritime Authority has offered its full cooperation to the authorities of the island of Mauritius regarding the investigations into the causes of the accident.
“It is not only unfair but totally inaccurate to blame this accident on the Panama Ship Registry.”
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Source: Ship & Bunker
