Coastal clean-up intensifies following shipwreck oil spill on South Africa’s west coast

Reports in the open sources claim that the coastal clean-up operations have significantly ramped up on South Africa’s west coast in response to an oil spill caused by the break-up of the cargo ship MV Ultra Galaxy. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed that the vessel, which had been grounded, fractured into four sections due to powerful waves from a recent cold front. This rupture resulted in at least one fuel tank leaking, impacting nearby beaches.

The incident occurred after the Ultra Galaxy, a 124.56-meter-long vessel built in 2008, was abandoned on July 9 following a severe list and subsequent grounding in harsh weather conditions. The ship was en route from Malaga, Spain to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania when it was abandoned. All 18 Filipino crew members were rescued from a life raft.

SAMSA has activated the Oil Spill Contingency Plan, deploying approximately 125 local volunteers to assist in the clean-up efforts. By Monday evening, teams including salvors and community members were focused on a one-kilometer stretch of affected beach. The oil has been contained to this area thanks to heavy swells and wind waves.

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), in coordination with the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry, and Fisheries, is preparing to establish a temporary facility in Lamberts Bay. This precautionary measure is aimed at addressing potential impacts on seabirds. Salvage operations have been temporarily halted due to adverse weather but are expected to resume once conditions improve.

SAMSA has urged the public along the west coast, from Brand se Baai to St. Helena Bay, to report any debris such as cargo bags or steel hatch covers that may wash ashore. The national response, overseen by the interim Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) established in 2017, involves various state departments, private sectors, and NGOs, ensuring a coordinated approach to managing oil spill incidents within South Africa’s exclusive economic zone.